2024-04-09 12:19:50
Image caption,
The moment Russ Cook finishes his run in Africa.
18 minutes ago
Russell Cook, nicknamed “Hardest Geezer”, successfully traveled throughout Africa, crossing the finish line in Tunisia after 352 days.
Before embarking on the mammoth challenge of traveling across Africa, he said he hoped to look back on his life and have no regrets.
The 27-year-old from Worthing, West Sussex, said he had struggled with mental health, gambling and alcohol, and wanted to “make a difference”.
Also read on BBC Africa:
After traveling through 16 countries, he raised more than £700,000 (536,622,137 fcfa) for charity and completed his final race.
As he crossed the finish line at around 4.40pm BST in Ras Angela, Tunisia, Mr Cook was greeted by a cheering crowd, many of whom chanted “damn it”.
“I’m pretty tired,” he told reporters in a message on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Mr. Cook told those who followed his journey to the finish line: “Mission accomplished.”
A change of plans
Photo credit, HARRY GALLIMORE
Image caption,
Mr Cook had originally planned to run 360 marathons in 240 days, with no rest days.
Much has changed since Mr Cook left his home in February 2023.
His initial plan to run from Tunisia to South Africa, completing 360 marathons in 240 days with no days off, was quickly halted by the lack of an Algerian visa – an obstacle that would later resurface.
But after a last-minute change, he set off on foot from South Africa’s southernmost point on April 22 – a journey that will take him through cities, rainforests, mountains and the Sahara Desert .
Armed robbery
Credit photo, GUUS VAN VEEN
Image caption,
Mr Cook and his team had cameras, phones, cash and passports stolen in Angola.
After ticking off South Africa and Namibia in 50 days, Mr Cook encountered his first major setback: an armed robbery.
He and his support team had cameras, phones, cash, passports and visas stolen in Angola on June 24.
However, as with the many stumbling blocks he would face throughout the challenge, the ultrarunner vowed to persevere.
Health scare
Photo credit, HARRY GALLIMORE
Image caption,
Mr Cook underwent medical tests in Nigeria for recurring back pain.
Regularly running more than one marathon a day began to take its toll.
After some minor stomach issues in the first few weeks, he was forced to take his first day off after doctors found blood and protein in his urine on day 45.
But it is recurring back pain that causes the most concern.
By day 200, Mr Cook was forced to reduce his distance and intensity at the request of a doctor in Nigeria – even missing consecutive days on days 205 and 206.
But in true Hardest Geezer style, he was not to be stopped.
He said: “I took a few days to have scans. No bone damage, so I thought the only option left was to stop chopping like a little weasel, take the strongest painkillers available and trample the zombie road again.”
Visa issues
Credit photo, GUUS VAN VEEN
Image caption,
Mr Cook’s social media appeal caught the attention of Elon Musk, who bought Twitter – now called X – in 2022.
After overcoming everything in his path, it was a single piece of paper – an Algerian visa – that cast doubt on the entire challenge on day 278.
Mr Cook was forced to stop while waiting to learn his fate and whether he could get permission to cross the Algerian border from Mauritania.
“If we don’t get the visas, then it’s over,” he said at the time.
His public appeal video on .
The increased attention paid to this challenge finally paid off as the Algerian embassy in the UK announced that he would be issued a courtesy visa there.
The last straight line
Credit photo, GUUS VAN VEEN
Image caption,
Mr Cook decided to run at night to avoid the heat of the Sahara Desert.
After the setbacks, all that stood between Mr. Cook and the finish line was the small task of the Sahara Desert.
The paved roads were exhausted, as were the signals and all signs of civilization. But an end date has been set: April 7, 2024.
Increasing his mileage to make up for lost time, Mr. Cook made the decision to run through the night due to the intense heat of the day and sandstorms.
Party time
Credit photo, GUUS VAN VEEN
Image caption,
Mr. Cook finished traveling Africa on April 7.
Months turned into weeks and weeks into days.
Finally, on Sunday afternoon, Mr Cook laced up his sneakers one last time – at least for now – as he headed towards the northernmost point of Tunisia.
Joined by supporters from around the world for the final marathon, Mr Cook rose to the challenge.
The celebrations will continue late into the night, helped by a final performance by British punk band Soft Play, formerly Slaves, at a hotel in Bizerte.
And the Hardest Geezer will finally get his hands on the one thing he’s wanted since day one: a strawberry daiquiri.
1712666076
#Russ #Cook #man #ran #Africa