BETHANY Clague crossed the finish line in tears after becoming the first person to complete two laps of the Parish Walk course in under 48 hours.
The 36-year-old gym instructor set off at 8am on Saturday with hundreds of other walkers.
But after a hardy few made it to the end of one lap Bethany carried on.
She completed the first 85 mile loop in 21 hours at just after 5am on Sunday morning set off on lap two.
>> Bethany aims to tackle Parish Walk twice - non-stop!19 June 2008Bethany didn't sleep during her marathon and kept going by eating on the move and taking isotonic drinks to prevent her becoming dehydrated.
Over the weekend many well wishers handed her money for the Island's hyperaric chamber for which she was raising funds.
Crowds turned out in Ramsey and Andreas on Sunday evening to encourage her in the long night ahead.
She had a support all weekend following in cars.
The crew included Gareth Evans, also an endurance runner and walker, and another friend Ernie Runciman who drove Bethany's support vehicle on the final leg on Sunday night and Monday morning.
Bethany's parents Helen and Roy also supported her along the way.
That support was quite literal on the final leg as they held her up on the last stretch along Douglas Prom walking either side of her holding an arm each.
A sizeable group of spectators gathered at the finish on Douglas Prom at around 7.20am on Monday morning, some 47 hours and 20 minutes after she had set off.
She was in tears as she crossed the line to the applause of those who had come out to cheer her home.
Bethany was not able to say much to the waiting media apart from 'I'm very tired'.
She was driven away by her parents for a well earned sleep.
At the finish was Parish Walk legend Robbie Callister who finished second in this year's race.
After his effort Robbie supported Bethany by walking with her and he was at the finish on Monday morning.
'She's an amazing girl, I take my hat off to her,' said Robbie.
'To come in after doing one lap in that horrendous weather and then have a quick change and carry on walking is amazing.
'I've watched her over the last few years go from being a poor walker and runner to a very good walker and runner.
'She's worked hard at it and been through quite a lot.
'She's had to dig herself out of a big hole.'
Robbie added that Bethany's efforts may inspire others to take up the two lap challenge in future.
Bethany took up running four years ago after realising it helped her recovery from stress-related illness.
As a form of therapy, it has given her a new outlook on life and led her away from a troubled past of a broken marriage, drink problems and anorexia.
Now her achievements are inspiring others to believe that they too may be capable of pushing themselves beyond what their own perceived limits.
Bethany works as an administrative assistant at Specsavers and gym instructor at Proactive and has completed marathons in Edinburgh, Nottingham, Majorca, the Isle of Man and Blackpool, as well as completing the Parish Walk twice.
To sponsor Bethany call her on 481792.
She also has a website
www.manxcat.org.uk/bethany-----------
>> Jock Waddington wins 2008 Parish Walk21 June 2008