Norristown Native Lori King, an open water marathon swimmer and member of the CIBBOWS, finished the 36.5 mile swim around Bermuda in a record 21:19:45, according to a staff report from Swimming World.

King, a graduate of Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, started the swim on June 15th at 12:00 p.m. local time at Elbow Beach and returned after completing the circuit around the island on June 16th at 9:19:45 a.m.

King is the second solo swimmer to accomplish this feat four decades after Sean O’Connell first completed it in 43 hours and 27 minutes which included an extra mile. Since then, a 50-person relay team completed the challenge over two days in honor of 30th Anniversary of O’Connell’s achievement.

Due to forecast detrimental weather conditions around the Island, King had to move up her originally planned start from Thursday to Wednesday. However, despite the unexpected schedule change and battling three foot waves and strong headwinds, King still managed to complete it in record time.

“This was a team effort,” said King. “This was not my swim, I cannot own it. This would not have happened without the role that each of my incredible crew played. I owe this feat and share this incredible milestone in my career with all of them.”

The swimmer’s skilled crew made up mostly of Bermudians was headed by well-known open-water swimmer Nick Strong with the help of Mike Cash.

“The Bermudian support personnel were all shocked at the fact that Lori was able to complete the swim,” said Cash, a Bermudian and King’s friend for over five years. “There were a lot of very emotional people when she finished.”

Read more about King’s achievement at Swimming World by clicking here.