‘Hardest Geezer’ Russ Cook back online as he passes 13,000km on epic African run

His last post on Instagram or upload to Strava had been on February 19th but Russ Cook – aka the ‘Hardest Geezer’ – provided a welcome update this week on his epic attempt to become the first person to run the length of Africa.

His last recorded run on Strava came from Mauritania and despite the fact that it was always known there would be no signal for large chunks of the ‘Project Africa’ challenge, especially in the Sahara, it was still a huge relief to the tens of thousands who are following his progress when he posted his latest video on YouTube, which is embedded below.

‘Buckle in’

He introed it by saying: “We’re not dead yet. Everything you wanna know will be answered over the next 6 videos… Buckle in.”

And it started by revealing a key switch in approach as Cook said: “With my body in tatters and the brutal Saharan sun beating down on me, something had to change.”

The new plan was to start running shortly after dusk each evening at around 7pm – the key advantages being it’s far cooler and often less windy.

Cook added: “I should either reduce the risk of injury or increase the chances of running further.”

And for the first few days he racked up 60+km nights by running until around 5am, though the wind became brutal as he progressed – check out the video above to find out more.

Being out in the dark obviously took away pretty much all the spectacular views but as Russ pointed out: “I’m here to get to Tunisia, I’ve got a whole lifetime for the views.”

Just over a month to go

The latest video shows him receiving incredible hospitality and kindness from those he meets in Mauritania as he passes the 13,000km mark – and day 300 – and nears his ‘finish line’ in Tunisia, which is now scheduled for April 7th.

The 26-year-old from Worthing in the UK is bidding to become the first person to run the length of Africa, from tip to tip, and has already raised more than £190,000 for The Running Charity – which supports young people who are homeless – and Sandblast, a charity providing educational events about Saharawi people.

He expected to complete the equivalent of over 360 marathons but that’s now been extended thanks to a variety of challenges en route, including an armed robbery.

One of the most significant and recent was being granted the “multi-entry visa” that he required to cross Algeria and then head into Mauritania.

The power of social media – and political pressure – helped him overcome that, with even Elon Musk commenting: “This kind of interaction is what makes 𝕏 special.”

Cook and his team originally planned to begin the challenge at the northernmost point of Africa, Ras Ben Sakka, the tip of Cape Angela in Tunisia, and finish at the southernmost point at Cape L’Agulhas in Western Cape, South Africa.

However, the initial issues obtaining that visa for Algeria meant the route was reversed, instead beginning in South Africa on 22 April, 2023.

You can donate to the Hardest Geezer’s fundraiser HERE.

Prior to this Project Africa challenge, Cook was best known for becoming the first person to run from Asia to London in 2019.