‘Hardest Geezer’: British Runner Russ Cook Finishes Running Full Length Of Africa, Raises £690k For Charity

British runner Russ Cook, dubbed the “Hardest Geezer,” completed his landmark 10,100-mile run from the southernmost to the northernmost points of Africa.

Sky News captured the moment that Cook completed his journey, which took him through 16 countries and helped him raise almost £700,000 for charity.

Cook faced armed robberies and severe illnesses but at the finish line in Tunisia’s Cape Angela simply told the gathered media: “I’m a little tired.”

However, his claim to be the first to achieve the feat is under scrutiny by the World Runners Association (WRA), which cites previous records that challenge Cook’s title. Phil Essam, president of the WRA, said: “The WRA recognises Mr Jesper Kenn Olsen of Denmark as the first person to have run the full length of Africa,”

Cook’s path was notably longer than Danish runner Olsen’s 2010 route, which covered 7,949 miles but did not traverse from end to end of the continent.

Speaking of Cook’s achievement, Olsen said: “Serge Girard in his world run crossed five continents and completed his run without one single day off during the entire run. To compare this with Russ Cook’s run through Africa where there were several days off – I think, with all respect – is in itself a bit of a stretch, to compare a half-marathon with a full marathon.”

Despite the dispute, the spectacle of Cook’s finish drew a crowd of fans and the support of local politicians. The runner plans to continue celebrating this massive undertaking with a grand finish-line party in Bizerte, Tunisia, honouring his contribution to the charities involved