‘Hardest Geezer’ becomes million-pound fundraiser – and runs with the PM

Russ Cook – aka the ‘Hardest Geezer’ – has hit his fundraising target of £1million.

He made global headlines earlier this month when he finished his epic run across the entire length of Africa.

That saw the 27-year-old from Worthing overcome some huge obstacles which extended the challenge to what was a final tally of over 16,000 kilometres – or 19 million steps – over 352 days through 16 different countries.

Cook and his support team had 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 but visa issues meant the route had to be reversed.

‘The honour of a lifetime’

And writing on X shortly after the landmark total was reached, he said: “£1,000,000 raised for charity. I can’t tell you how much this is going to do for the @Running_Charity & @sandblastarts

“Biggest thank you of all goes to all of you who supported throughout. This project was built on the foundations of your support. It simply wouldn’t of happened without it. 

“Everything I could have ever hoped for & more. The honour of a lifetime. Until the next one.”

What’s next for ‘Hardest Geezer’?

It remains to be seen what the next target is but in the meantime he’s had an eventful week.

He was at the London Marathon on Sunday, pacing some younger runners for The Running Charity.

And then on Thursday he ran with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the morning before appearing on Sky Sports before the Brighton vs Manchester City game in the Premier League.

Unfortunately for him, as a big Brighton fan, the 4-0 defeat against the title favourites wasn’t the result he was hoping for.