Russ Cook, an extraordinary 27-year-old athlete known as the “Hardest Geezer”, from Worthing, West Sussex, has made history by completing an unprecedented marathon journey across Africa. Spanning 16 countries over 352 days, he covered over 9,940 miles (16,000km), equivalent to approximately 376 marathons.
His journey was far from easy, encountering unexpected obstacles such as armed robbers in Angola and machete-wielding men in the Republic of Congo. Health issues and visa complications also threatened to derail his journey. Nonetheless, Cook persevered, raising over £600,000 for charitable causes.
Starting at South Africa's Cape Agulhas on April 22, 2023, and ending at Tunisia's Ras Angela, Cook's finish line greeted him with cheers from supporters who followed his journey on social media platforms X, Instagram and YouTube.
To celebrate his achievement, he planned a party and looked forward to a strawberry daiquiri. After a refreshing dip in the sea, he told Sky News, "I'm a little bit tired."
On the final day, he spoke to Sky News, expressing the difficulty of being away from family and dealing with physical pain but remained committed to finishing his task.
Funds raised will support the Running Charity and Sandblast, aiding youths facing homelessness and raising awareness about the Saharawi people.
Navigating diverse terrains, including rainforests and the Sahara desert, Cook faced challenges like reducing daily mileage due to medical advice while in Nigeria. Hurdles in entering Algeria were overcome with an appeal video reaching 11 million viewers.
A celebration awaited in Bizerte, Tunisia, with daiquiris prepared for all attendees.
Cook's journey aimed to inspire others, describing it as the most challenging but honorable experience of his life, appreciating the beauty of the human spirit.
Not new to pushing boundaries, Cook's previous ventures include running from Istanbul to London, enduring a week buried alive and setting a record for the quickest marathon while towing a car.