Why Russ Cook was cheekily given new ‘Softest Geezer’ nickname during epic challenge in Mexican mountains

Russ Cook admitted he was left both humbled and broken after attempting a 50-mile ultramarathon in the remote northern Mexican mountains, which resulted in one of his support team cheekily re-labelling him the ‘Softest Geezer’.

The endurance specialist – who is more commonly known as the ‘Hardest Geezer’ after making his name tackling a series of incredible extreme challenges – was a beaten man, having trekked for more than seven hours on the unrelenting Caballo Blanco.

Cook’s experience in the Mexican state of Chihuahua has been documented on a new YouTube video – which has been embedded into this story below – where the 28-year-old Brit goes in search of the Rarámuri, an indigenous people from the Sierra Madre Occidental, renowned for their incredible long-distance running.

A quest into the rugged Mexican mountains

His quest takes him deep into the rugged Copper Canyon area, where the Tarahumara locals maintain their unique customs, which have served for centuries and are taught to children from a young age.

Wearing only sandals with old car tyres for soles, their running is not something they do for fitness or training, but is a necessary part of their daily rural life in the sierras and canyons.

In typical Russ Cook style, he decides to tackle Ultra Maratón Caballo Blanco after meeting with legendary runner Arnulfo Quimare, a Tarahumara runner who in 2006 defeated Scott Jurek in a race which was documented in the Christopher McDougall book Born to Run.

Described in the book as ‘the greatest living Tarahumara runner’, he leads Cook on an epic trail in the scorching South American heat – although, while Arnulfo is wearing his usual sandals, the Hardest Geezer has been forced to switch back to trainers, having suffered with blisters while attempting to run in the more traditional footwear.

Scott Jurek win put him on the radar

“He beat a guy called Scott Jurek, also a very famous ultra-runner. That’s one of the major things that put the Tarahumara on the radar of the ultra-running world,” he says in the video. “They were like, ‘Wow, how have these guys, from the really rural Mexican mountains, just rolled up and beaten one of the best ultra-runners of all time?’.

“This was our chance to see for ourselves why they have the reputation of being some of the greatest runners on earth.

“Caballo Blanco isn’t just a run. It’s a route deep into the Copper Canyon, named after Micah True, the man who introduced the world to the Rarámuri way of running. If it’s anything like the routes we’ve been running the past few days, this is going to be a serious challenge. Being able to run it alongside Arnulfo would be a privilege.”

Cook’s CV of incredible challenges includes becoming the first man to run the entire length of Africa, running from Istanbul to Worthing without a support team in just 68 days, running to every one of England’s matches at the Euro 2024 football tournament in Germany, and also running the full length of New Zealand.

Feeling like he was ‘stitched up’

However, this was very much a different challenge, and one which left a lasting impression.

Attempting to just ‘hang in’ as his running partner made the trek look easy, he admits that he felt like he was being ‘stitched up’ as Arnulfo continued on his serene way in stark contrast to Cook, who was feeling ‘cooked’ under the beating sun and struggling with the tricky terrain.

“I’ve got to be honest with you… I’m having a pretty hard time out here,” he says. “Both legs are starting to cramp now. But Arnulfo just keeps on going. I’m just telling myself that I am gonna hang in for as long as possible, and hopefully, we can make it.”

As he takes a short break, he reveals: “I’m on the struggle bus over here. I can’t lie.” To which his support team retort with “Softest Geezer”, and a clearly struggling Cook gives a chuckle before admitting he is feeling ‘truly humbled’.

A trek which Arnulfo once completed in under seven hours is finally completed in darkness as Cook and his fellow runner arrive at the rendezvous point two hours after they were expected – but with some valuable experience and lessons in the bank.

Lessons learned for the future

“Looking back on the week, I realise that the way I run is often a fight. Me versus the distance. Me versus myself,” reflects Cook. “Watching Arnulfo, it didn’t look like that was happening. There was no sense of proving anything. It didn’t feel like he was trying to conquer the trail, and there was no talk of PBs.

“What struck me was how normal it all seemed. Watching that, the distance stopped feeling so personally offensive to me. It didn’t feel like something to overcome and felt like a naturally occurring part of life.

“I’m not leaving here thinking I’m suddenly going to try and copy what they do, but I’ve been left thinking about something. Endurance isn’t always about hitting the perfect pace or winning at all costs. Sometimes I think the most important part is having a reason, a ‘why’ that keeps you moving long after you could have stopped.”

Cook will now be hoping that the spirit of the Rarámuri and the lessons learnt from Arnulfo will stay with him as he begins the preparations for his next big challenge – his epic list of seven ‘semi-impossible’ ultra-endurance battles.