On the final day of 2024, Belgian ultrarunner Hilde Dosogne crossed the finish line, claiming her place in history as the first woman to complete a marathon every single day of the year. The 55-year-old bio-engineer ran an astonishing 15,444 kilometers (9,596 miles) while raising €60,000 ($62,438) for breast cancer research.

Despite facing illnesses, crashes, and the mental strain of starting each day anew, Dosogne persevered, often running loops near Ghent. To ensure accuracy, she slightly exceeded the 42.195-kilometer daily marathon requirement, clocking 42.5 kilometers instead.

Her journey wasn’t without setbacks. A severe crash at 27 kilometers left her with a dislocated finger, forcing her to restart her run to meet Guinness World Records’ stringent requirements. Dosogne’s dedication meant balancing her professional life with running, maintaining a steady 10km/h pace to accommodate friends and witnesses.

Pending Guinness approval, Dosogne will surpass Erchana Murray-Bartlett’s 150-day record and join Hugo Farias, the male record-holder. While she doesn’t recommend her feat as a lifestyle model, Dosogne’s achievement stands as a testament to persistence and mental strength.