NEW YORK: US endurance swimmer Diana Nyad completed a 48-hour, non-stop swim Thursday in New York to raise more than $105,000 for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

The 64-year-old, who in September became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage, spent two days doing laps in a specially built outdoor pool.

“I am glad it is over,” she said after getting out of the water. “I am tired, I am really whipped.”

Despite visits from local celebrities and other people designed to keep her spirits up, Nyad said she was surprised by the difficulty of the challenge.

“I am shocked, because I thought compared to these long ultra swims in the ocean, this would be easy,” she said.

“You should have seen me this morning at two-three in the morning. I couldn't think. I was sick over my stomach, I was worried I wouldn't be able to finish this thing.” The 120-foot (36-meter), two-lane pool was set up in Herald Square, one of the busiest in Manhattan.

The water temperature was set initially at 84 degrees Fahrenheit (29 Celsius) but raised to 96 degrees to overcome the increasing autumnal chill. “I was constantly chilly,” Nyad said.

There was a light drizzle and cool winds in Manhattan as she completed her swim. Nyad's website says she raised $105,361.

The swimmer told reporters she would be happy to swim again for charity, but for a shorter time and in warmer weather.

Hurricane Sandy crashed into the US East Coast a year ago, leaving more than 100 people dead, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes and racking up an estimated $80 billion in damage.

On September 3, Nyad became the first person to swim from Cuba to Key West, Florida without a shark cage. It took her around 53 hours.