Man running length of Africa sets off on final leg of challenge

A man who has been running the length of Africa in a mammoth challenge which has seen cross 16 countries and cover over 16,000km has embarked on the final leg of his venture.

Russ Cook, from Worthing, West Sussex, set off at around 10am on Sunday from a petrol garage in Ghezala, a town in north-west Tunisia, where he will be heading towards the finish line located in Ras Angela, the country’s most northerly point.

Mr Cook, nicknamed Hardest Geezer, 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 become the first person to run the full length of the continent.

Speaking to Sky News after setting off on the final leg of his journey, the 27-year-old endurance athlete said he was feeling “pretty sweet”.

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“One more day, one final push, let’s get this thing done,” he said.

“I’ve had a few tears this morning.

“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.”

Throughout the venture, called Project Africa, Mr Cook has raised more than £650,000 for two charities, the Running Charity and Sandblast.

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.

“How can you be tired when there’s this many people running with you?,” he told Sky News.

“There’s so much energy.”

Mr Cook 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, he 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”.

He wrote on X: “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.”