RAS ANGELA, Tunisia (TAE)-In a stirring display of endurance and resolve, British charity runner Russ Cook concluded his monumental journey across Africa on Sunday. Starting at Cape Agulhas, South Africa's southernmost point, and finishing in Tunisia at the northern tip, Cook covered over 16,000 kilometers (about 10,000 miles) through 16 countries in 352 days. His final steps were met with enthusiastic applause as dozens of supporters gathered on a rocky outcrop beside the Mediterranean in northern Tunisia to celebrate his achievement.
Cook, 27, from Worthing in southern England, embarked on this arduous run on April 22, 2023, with the aim of completing it in 240 days. However, challenges including theft, injury, and bureaucratic hurdles extended his journey. Notably, he and his team were robbed at gunpoint in Angola, and Cook suffered significant setbacks due to back pain in Nigeria and visa delays before entering Algeria.
Known by his social media followers as the "Hardest Geezer," Cook has been open about his personal challenges with mental health, which he addresses through his passion for running. Prior to this African adventure, he had run approximately 3,000 kilometers from Istanbul to Worthing in 68 days.
Through this latest run, Cook has raised over 690,000 pounds (approximately $870,000) for two charities: the Running Charity, which supports homeless youth, and Sandblast, which aids displaced people from Western Sahara.
Reflecting on his journey, Cook shared with Sky News, “It’s quite hard to put into words, 352 days on the road, long time without seeing family, my girlfriend. My body is in a lot of pain. But one more day, I’m not about to complain.” He also revealed plans for a celebration featuring strawberry daiquiris on the beach and a performance by the British band Soft Play, promising an "unreal" end to his epic journey.
