Five years on, supergran who ran 20,000 miles around the world hobbles home

Rosie Swale Pope's epic five-year adventure took her across some of the most hostile terrain on the planet.

The 61-year-old made her final steps on crutches, after being diagnosed with stress fractures in her legs just days from home. 

Proud moment: Rosie Swale Pope thanks all her supporters

However, the injuries pale in comparison to the difficulties she has experienced since setting off in October 2003.

She suffered frostbite and pneumonia, was hit by a bus and at one point was almost swept to her death in a raging river. On the upside, she also received 29 marriage proposals.

As Mrs Pope hobbled the final steps home, she was cheered by crowds who lined the streets of Tenby, Pembrokeshire.

Saluting the crowd with a glass of champagne, Mrs Swale Pope said the day was 'a dream come true'.

'I'm so very moved.

'I can't believe you've all turned out for me. I'm just overwhelmed.

Tough pensioner: Rosie receives treatment in hospital for stress fractures

'This journey began in the fairy story town of Tenby in Pembrokeshire and it's ending here today.

'I can't believe how many of you have turned out. I just thank you with all my heart.'

She set out on her journey to promote awareness about prostate cancer after losing her husband Clive to the disease in 2002.

Her route took her across the northern hemisphere through Europe, Russia, the United States, Canada, Greenland and Iceland.

She returned to the UK in June, stepping off a boat in Scotland.

A few days from home, she was forced to visit doctors who diagnosed stress fractures in her legs and advised she had some rest.

Mrs Pope said: 'I was not going to give up when I was so close to home. These little things are sent to test us sometimes.'

She covered every mile of land on foot, pulling her possessions in a cart and usually sleeping in a small tent.

Despite her injuries - and a stay in Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, earlier this week - Mrs Swale Pope looked fit and well as she crossed under the finishing post.

'I'm really pleased I fractured my hip because it's made it far more exciting, and I got here just fine,' she said.

Last leg: Rosie holds up traffic only a few miles from Tenby

World welcomes: Rosie makes friends across the world

Rosie had to have her feet seen to by medics of the Alaska National Guard in Alaska in March 2006 after it blistered badly

'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 congratulate the grandmother.

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.'

She gave three cheers for Tenby, and added: 'I feel so humble.'

To murmurs of disagreement from the crowds, Mrs Swale Pope said she had 'done nothing special compared to just one nurse or a doctor'.

She thanked everyone for a '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.'