He has been robbed at gunpoint and kidnapped by machete-wielding thugs in the jungle.
But extreme marathon runner and self-proclaimed ‘Hardest Geezer’ Russ Cook will become the first person to run the length of Africa if he completes his incredible 9,500-mile journey later today.
The 26-year-old, from Worthing, West Sussex, has been on the run for 351 days and crossed the border into Tunisia, the northernmost point in Africa, on Thursday night.
He hopes to cross the finish line later today in Ras Angela, where he will be joined by his supporters in the final stretch. He has so far raised £615,000 for charities, and more than £250,000 has been donated in the last seven days thanks to the encouragement of his loyal fans.
Last night he posted to his 901,000 followers on Instagram: ‘16,250 km. 351 days. 385 marathons. 16 countries. £574,000 raised for charities. We have come a long way. One last push tomorrow for the record books.
Cook, who began his extraordinary journey in Cape Agulhas, South Africa, in April 2023, says he will be the first person to tour the entirety of Africa if he completes the challenge.
But not only has the journey been a testament to mental and physical strength, Cook was also robbed at gunpoint, taken hostage and almost forced to stop the challenge after he was left without a visa at the Mauritanian border.
Russ Cook was greeted by his fans as he approached the finish line in Tunisia.
He is shown heading to Ras Angela in Tunisia as he attempts to become the first person to run the length of Africa.
His followers have dressed up with fake red beards while they wait for him to pass.
Cook describes himself as “the toughest old man in Worthing” and has overcome many challenges.
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He originally hoped to reach the mega distance in 240 days, but various obstacles have delayed his goal by about 100 days.
While traveling through Angola, approximately 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles) away, he was attacked by armed thugs.
Cook claimed his support van was raided by “desperate guys with guns” and that the gunmen stole his team’s cameras, mobile phones and some passports, as well as wads of cash.
He added that none of his crew was injured in the armed robbery.
Then, in August, he was “kidnapped” by a gang of men armed with machetes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He documented the ordeal on social media: “In an attempt to find the children in a village on the plan B route, I stumbled upon a rural settlement where the chief told me I should give him money. I didn’t have any.” the runner wrote on day 107.
He added: “So it all worked out.” Very soon I found myself surrounded by many guys with machetes. He was escorted out of town into the bush.
‘I emptied my bag to show that I had nothing but a half-eaten biscuit. I gave it to him and he ran away. I spent the next few hours hiking overgrown trails in the jungle. Trying to stay off any trail until I was far away.
Russ Cook, 26, from Worthing, West Sussex, nicknamed ‘the toughest old man in Worthing’, started the challenge 351 days ago.
He hopes to cross the finish line later today, where he will be joined by his supporters in the final stretch.
He originally hoped to reach the mega distance in 240 days, but various obstacles have delayed his goal by about 100 days.
Cook claimed his support van was raided by “desperate guys with guns” and that the gunmen stole his team’s cameras, mobile phones and some passports.
Then, in August, he was ‘kidnapped’ by a gang of men armed with machetes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Russ Cook is pictured after enduring the ordeal of being robbed at gunpoint by thugs during his extraordinary career.
‘I arrived at the village via the plan B route and found that the road was also impassable again for the support van. Exhausted and dehydrated, I started heading back to the last known place with passable roads when two guys pulled up on a bike.
‘They didn’t speak English but they tried to communicate. I must go with them to return to my friends.
‘What happened next was a seven-hour motorcycle ride deep into the jungle. In my head I thought this was it. Me. The self-proclaimed toughest geezer. About to be locked up in a gulag in the Congo before being dismembered limb by limb and devoured.
Fortunately, Cook was taken to a village and taken to a cabin where he recalled that a group of men were fighting over what to do with him and arguing how much money he owed them.
After some back and forth negotiations, he was able to contact his team, who spent the next few days formulating a rescue plan.
Cook eventually managed to escape and, despite most people’s expectation that he would take the first flight home, returned to his starting point that day and ran another 60 km on a new route.
On top of this, he has faced multiple illnesses, including blood in his urine and crippling back pain.
Then, in January, his entire mission nearly failed after he failed to obtain a visa allowing him to enter Algeria.
She is raising funds for The Running Charity, which supports the mental health of young people with complex needs or who are homeless, and Sandblast, which educates people about Sahrawi culture.
The athlete, who describes himself as a former “fat kid” with alcohol and gambling problems, was introduced to long-distance running when he participated in a half marathon at age 21.
In a video posted on social media, Cook said the success of his challenge now depended on Algerian authorities granting him permission to enter.
‘Well, girls and boys, we have a little problem. We have not been able to get visas for Algeria, and if we do not get them, then the Africa project will end,” he stated.
“I have been running for 278 days, covering almost 12,000 kilometers (7,456 miles) across 13 countries and raising over £140,000 for charities in my bid to become the first person to run the length of Africa.
“But right now that all depends entirely on whether we can get permission from Algeria to allow us to cross this border into Mauritania,” he said.
“This is the only option we have left, so Algeria, if you are listening, please contact me.” Anything you need from us, please let me know,’ he added, addressing the Algerian authorities. ‘It would be an absolute privilege to visit your beautiful country.
“To everyone following the journey online, please help us by sharing this and help us get it seen by the appropriate people in Algeria.”
Tim Loughton, Conservative MP for East Worthing, said he had been sent Cook’s video and offered to help by contacting the Foreign Office.
“Russ, this has been sent to you and I gather you’re from East Worthing,” he said.
“Can you email me some details? We will do our best to help through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Algerian Embassy.”
His social campaign worked and the Algerian embassy said it would grant him a courtesy visa “in situ”, allowing him to cross the border.
The athlete, who describes himself as a former “fat kid” with alcohol and gambling problems, was introduced to long-distance running when he participated in a half marathon at age 21.
Since then, he has earned a reputation for attempting tests of strength and endurance: he ran 71 marathons in 66 days from Asia to London in 2019, rode a Suzuki Alto 42 kilometers along the south coast, and was buried alive during one week in 2021.
She is raising funds for The Running Charity, which supports the mental health of young people with complex needs or who are homeless, and Sandblast, which educates people about Sahrawi culture.
You can donate to their cause. here.