Man Completes First Run Across the Length of Africa

Russell Cook, the man who has been given the affectionate moniker of the “Hardest Geezer”, became the first person to run across the length of Africa after he arrived in Tunisia on Sunday, 7 April.

The 27-year-old completed the stunning feat in just under a year, having set off from Cape Agulhas, South Africa (the most southerly point of the continent) on 22 April, last year. In total, the runner from Worthing, West Sussex, raised £700 000 for charity.

Originally, Cook hoped to complete the run by Christmas, in just 240 days. However, a series of setbacks hindered his progress and challenged him both mentally and physically.

An armed robbery threw a wrench in the works for Cook and his support team as they lost cameras, phones, cash, passports and visas on 24 June, while they were in Angola. Later, the effects of long-term endurance running began to show, as doctors in Nigeria recommended that he reduce his daily distance and intensity.

For his final stretch in Tunisia, Cook was joined by dozens of fans, some of whom had flown in from around the world to celebrate with him. When asked about what he was looking forward to enjoying the most, the athlete replied a strawberry daiquiri, which he had apparently been looking forward to since day one.

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