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World runner, 61, home to cheers World runner, 61, home to cheers
(about 2 hours later)
A grandmother has arrived home after an epic round-the-world run she began almost five years ago.A grandmother has arrived home after an epic round-the-world run she began almost five years ago.
Rosie Swale Pope, 61, finished her journey on crutches after injuring her leg on the final part of her journey of more than 20,000 miles (32,000 km).Rosie Swale Pope, 61, finished her journey on crutches after injuring her leg on the final part of her journey of more than 20,000 miles (32,000 km).
Hundreds of people lined the streets in in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, to welcome her back.Hundreds of people lined the streets in in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, to welcome her back.
She set off on her 57th birthday in October 2003 to raise prostate cancer awareness after her husband's death.She set off on her 57th birthday in October 2003 to raise prostate cancer awareness after her husband's death.
Clutching a glass of champagne, she said: " "I'm so very moved. I can't believe you've all turned out for me. I'm just overwhelmed." Clutching a glass of champagne, she said: "I'm so very moved. I can't believe you've all turned out for me. I'm just overwhelmed.
As she neared the finish line she had said of her run: "It's nothing, other people have gone further. To me it's just a fun run that's got out of hand.
Rosie Swale Pope on her epic runRosie Swale Pope on her epic run
"To me, I'm so grateful because when I was young I was not any good at sport, I only took up running when I was about fifty, and do you know, when you have to battle against things it's more of a challenge and more fun, and it's been a wonderful, wonderful journey." "It's a journey that came out of sorrow and pain and heartache, but it's a journey that has turned to joy. I made 10,000 friends every year."
Doctors have told her she has two stress fractures in her leg, but she said she was determined not to let friends and well-wishers down. Rosie has described her achievement as a "fun run that's got out of hand" but close to home her finish looked uncertain after doctors told her she had two stress fractures in her leg.
She was admitted to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest after she found she was unable to stand on her injured leg.She was admitted to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest after she found she was unable to stand on her injured leg.
She said: "I'm really pleased I fractured my hip because it's made it far more exciting, and I got here just fine.She said: "I'm really pleased I fractured my hip because it's made it far more exciting, and I got here just fine.
"I thank the head consultant of Withybush Hospital for letting me go. I looked in his eyes and said 'I've got to do it'." Have crutches, will travel: Rosie Swale Pope was determined to carry on "I thank the head consultant of Withybush Hospital for letting me go. I looked in his eyes and said 'I've got to do it'."
Friends from as far as Alaska and Chicago were in Tenby to see Ms Swale Pope finish her trip across the northern hemisphere. Friends from as far as Alaska and Chicago were in Tenby to see Rosie finish her trip across the northern hemisphere.
She said: "It's a journey that came out of sorrow and pain and heartache, but it's a journey that has turned to joy. I made 10,000 friends every year." They included Bob Collins, a district attorney from Nome, Alaska, who helped rescue her when she got stranded in a blizzard there in November 2005. Rosie greets son James, 37, amid the cheering crowd in Tenby
He said: "It was minus 65F and she was stuck. Many adventurous types in less severe circumstances would have given up at that point.
"I know local people who have attempted the route she took, but never on foot. They've told me 99.9% of people who attempt this who get stuck call it quits.
"When Rosie took that next step forward, she went to a super-human level."
Lee Davies, 35, from Cwmllynfell, near Swansea, said: "We've been following her blog on her website for the past five years. She has been an inspiration.
"I've read Ranulph Fiennes' books, and as far as I'm concerned, she's up there with him."
Rosie's son James, 37, said he was "very proud" of his mother's achievement.
He said: "I'm really happy. It's a huge relief that she has successfully made it. I was worried something might go wrong.
"If the stress fractures had happened up in Scotland, it would have been very difficult for her to complete the journey." Have crutches, didn't give up: Rosie was determined to finish her run
Her leg injury appeared to be a minor setback compared to some of the difficulties she faced during her trek, including being hit by a bus, pneumonia, frostbite in Alaska and a breast cancer scare.Her leg injury appeared to be a minor setback compared to some of the difficulties she faced during her trek, including being hit by a bus, pneumonia, frostbite in Alaska and a breast cancer scare.
She was also confronted by a man with an axe in Siberia, and knocked unconscious as she tried to cross a river.She was also confronted by a man with an axe in Siberia, and knocked unconscious as she tried to cross a river.
Back in Tenby, she gave three cheers for the town, and added: "I feel so humble. I've done nothing special compared to just one nurse or a doctor."Back in Tenby, she gave three cheers for the town, and added: "I feel so humble. I've done nothing special compared to just one nurse or a doctor."
Before returning to her house in the town, Ms Swale Pope said: "Thank you for the most beautiful welcome anyone could have in their life. This is a dream come true for me, and I hope everyone's dreams come true." Before returning to her house in the town, she said: "Thank you for the most beautiful welcome anyone could have in their life. This is a dream come true for me, and I hope everyone's dreams come true."