She swears she is not superwoman ? but some may have their doubts.

After all Marilyn Steede has just walked 97.6 kilometres, and bar a slightly sleepy feeling, has emerged without so much as a blister.

It was her third successful 24-hour walkathon, this year raising funds for Age Concern. So what is her secret for survival?

The answer is somewhat mundane: a 20-minute soak in a very hot bath and a deep body massage, with the help of a professional to remove toxins from her body. Afterwards she sleeps round the clock until the next morning.

?I really believe that?s the secret,? she told . ?I am not a superwoman.?

The first time she walked 24 hours straight she did not perform her antitoxin ritual, and she said she suffered for it. Now she feels as fit as a fiddle.

This year she started her walk at 5 a.m. on Saturday at the entrance to Horseshoe Beach in Southampton. She finished at 6 a.m. on Monday in Wellington, St. George?s.

Although reluctant to say how much money she raised this year for Age Concern?s Senior Centre from this year?s walk, she said she had raised a total of $54,000 for the Stroke Association in the last two walkathons.

On Saturday, two other registered walkers, Shadow Health Minister Michael Dunkley and Sharon DeSilva, began the walk with her.

?It was nice to start with people,? Ms Steede said.

But the only person who stayed with her during the long night was a roster of driving escorts who took it in shifts to watch over her.

?They come with me for protection. But they also come so they can confirm that I really did do it?.