Kiwi ultra-runner Sophie Woods has broken a record for fastest traversal of the Alps, running 2000km across eight countries in just 29 days.
The Via Alpina, one of the world's toughest endurance challenges, follows the entire length of the European mountain range, with elevation equivalent to climbing Mount Everest 12 times.
The 42-year-old Cantabrian began the route on July 4 in Italy, travelling through Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and France before ending on the Mediterranean coast in Monaco on Saturday.
Woods battled heatwaves, storms, a swarm of horseflies and wildfires which caused a 5km detour from the trail.
"I am ecstatic but knackered," she told the BBC.
"The last couple of days I did on one and a half to two and a half hours of sleep to really push at the end. That tipped me over the edge a little bit."
She said there were points in the journey where she felt overwhelmed by the enormity of the task.
"I might not be the fastest person out there but I know how to do big, long days in the mountains and just keep moving when everything hurts."
The first week was "horrendous", Woods said.
"Everything was swollen, everything was sore. I was sure I was going to pull 15 million muscles. Week two wasn't great either and then week three, I felt like I was getting fitter. It was like I was eating mountains for breakfast."
The previous fastest-known time for Via Alpina was 35 days, set by British runner Jake Catterall in 2024.
Woods said the record was in her sights from the very beginning.
"I didn't want to be running for more than 30 days - 30 days is enough. I knew that I was strong and capable. But this has taken it over and beyond that," she told the BBC.
"Ultra-running is about preparation, mental strength and being able to continue to persevere when things go wrong."
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