LONDON (AP) — A 33-year-old British athlete has stepped ashore on an English beach after becoming the first person to swim around the coast of Great Britain.

Ross Edgley spent 157 days in the water and covered 1,791 miles (2,883 kilometers). He swam in six-hour stints, sleeping in his support boat.

He was joined for the final mile on Sunday by hundreds of fellow swimmers, coming ashore at Margate in southeast England — the spot where he began his journey on June 1.

Edgley, who had hoped to finish in 100 days, told family members who gathered on the beach to greet him: "Sorry I'm late."

The World Open Water Swimming Association says Edgley endured wild weather and was stung by jellyfish 37 times during his swim, which was sponsored by the energy drink Red Bull.