Hardest Geezer: Russ Cook finishes final part of challenge to run length of Africa

Russ Cook, known as the 'Hardest Geezer', has been running for more than 350 days and finished his mammoth marathon in Tunisia on Sunday

Russ Cook, also known as the "Hardest Geezer" has finished running the length of Africa after crossing 16 countries and covering more than 16,000km in more than 19 million steps.

His route ended up being a little longer than initially planned as he encountered geopolitical issues on the way.

"Believe me if I could have shortcut it I would've done, but for safety reasons we had to go around the west coast, which added a few thousand miles on to the route," Mr Cook told ITV's Good Morning Britain on Monday.

On crossing the finish line the 27-year-old was greeted with shouts and cheers from those who had flown out to meet him, with many chanting “Geezer”.

Mr Cook, from Worthing, West Sussex, began the challenge on April 22, 2023 in South Africa’s most southerly point, spending 352 days on the road where he has faced visa complications, health scares and an armed robbery in his bid to run the full length of the continent.

On Sunday at around 10am he set off from a petrol garage in Ghezala, a town in north-west Tunisia, and headed towards the finish line located in Ras Angela, the country’s most northerly point.

Speaking to Good Morning Britain after completing the final leg of his journey, the endurance athlete said he was feeling “absolutely bamboozled”.

"It's incredible, it's not really sunk in yet but I am going to go and have a good party now," he added.

By Monday morning Mr Cook had raised more than £750,000 for two charities, the Running Charity and Sandblast, through his adventure, Project Africa.

For the final day of his challenge, Mr Cook invited his supporters to take on the last marathon with him, with many flying out to Tunisia to run alongside him. His girlfriend and parents flew out to meet him at the end of his journey.

He also announced he will be throwing a finish line party to celebrate his feat at a hotel in Bizerte, Tunisia.

The party is set to feature a performance by the British punk rock band Soft Play, formerly known as Slaves, comprising of Laurie Vincent and Isaac Holman.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, where he has been sharing regular updates on his quest, Mr Cook said: “Can’t quite believe it but we’ve managed to pull off Soft Play playing the finish line party in Tunisia. Get your daiquiris ready girls & boys this is gonna be mega.”

Last Tuesday, Mr Cook said the challenge had been “the toughest in my life but an immense honour”.

“We have met incredible people in every single country we’ve been to that have welcomed us with love and kindness. The human spirit is a beautiful thing.

“Very grateful for these experiences and would definitely encourage anyone out there to go get after that adventure, whatever it looks like for you.”

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