Washington, June 29 (ANI): Marathon swimmer Penny Palfrey is gearing up to complete an unassisted swim for 103 miles (166 kilometers) across the Straits of Florida without the aid of a shark cage.

The 49-year-old British-Australian dual citizen, mother of three and grandmother of two said she was inspired to take on the shark-filled waters between Cuba and Florida last year when she flew from the Cayman Islands to Miami.

I looked down, I could see this beautiful stretch of water, and wow, Fox News quoted Palfrey,a s saying.

Palfrey has traversed the English Channel twice and also has completed a continuous swim from Gibraltar to Morocco and back.ast year's 67-mile (108-kilometer) Caymans crossing is her personal best, but Palfrey said she's in good shape and 20 years of marathon swimming has her well-prepared for the 103 miles of the Florida Straits.

It's further than I've ever swum before. I expect it to be very challenging, but I'm very excited about it, she added. (ANI)