World run to finish on crutches

Top of the world: Rosie Swale Pope has run more than 20,000 miles

A grandmother who has run more than 20,000 miles around the northern hemisphere will finish the last few miles of her epic journey on crutches.

Rosie Swale Pope, 61, is due to complete her adventure in her home town of Tenby in Pembrokeshire on Monday.

It will be almost five years since she set out to run around the world.

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.

Scores of people are expected to turn out to welcome her home on Monday afternoon.

Her son James said: "Rosie was a bit concerned that people might think she is not going to make her target time of her arrival in Tenby, particularly because friends have travelled a long way to be there for her.

"She assured me that the date that she will be coming into Tenby is still the same, bank holiday Monday in the afternoon.

"She is taking it nice and easy and using the aid of crutches.

"She is following medical advice, and despite being a bit of a challenge, it is doable and safe.

"She is very positive and has been receiving much encouragement as she has been going along the road."

Rosie has overcome frostbite and broken ribs during her journey, which was to raise awareness of prostate cancer following the death of her husband.

When she began on her 57th birthday in October 2003 she thought it would take about two years.

Her route has taken her across Europe, Russia, Asia and north America.

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