Questions have been raised over whether ‘Hardest Geezer’ Russ Cook can really claim to be the first person to tour the entire length of Africa.
Cook, 27, celebrated Sunday by completing his 10,100-mile race from Cape Agulhas in South Africa to Ras Angela, Tunisia, in 352 days.
He crossed 16 countries while running the equivalent of 385 marathons and claimed to be the first person to run the length of the African continent, while surviving machete-wielding bandits, food poisoning and even visa issues.
But his claim has been questioned by a small international sporting body.
The World Runners Association (WRA), made up of only seven members, claimed that one of its founders deserved the title over Cook.
Cook, 27, (pictured) celebrated today by completing his 10,100 miles from Cape Agulhas in South Africa to Ras Angela, Tunisia, in 352 days.
Cook sipping a strawberry daiquiri while sitting on a throne after completing your final run.
He crossed 16 countries while running the equivalent of 385 marathons a day and claimed to be the first person to run the length of the African continent.
The World Runners Association (WRA), made up of just seven members, claimed that one of its founders, Jesper Olsen (pictured), deserved the title over Cook.
The group said Danish athlete Jesper Olsen achieved the feat in 2010, when he ran 7,949 miles from Taba in Egypt to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa in 434 days as part of an ultramarathon challenge that saw him race around the world.
Cook said his journey, which was from the southernmost point of Africa to the northernmost point, was 2,113 miles longer than Olsen’s, but the group insisted that Olsen was the first person to accomplish the feat.
The WRA said that since the length of Africa “is estimated at 8,000 kilometers [4,971 miles] “In a straight line,” it doesn’t matter that Cook’s distance was greater.
President Phil Essam said the Telegraph: ‘The WRA recognizes Mr. Jesper Kenn Olsen from Denmark as the first person to tour all of Africa.
“Therefore, the World Running Association disputes British citizen Russ Cook’s claim to be the first person to run the length of Africa.”
Olsen himself attempted to undermine Cook’s efforts, telling the newspaper that other runners had completed similar lengths without taking breaks as Cook had done.
‘[French runner] Serge Girard in his worldwide career crossed five continents and completed his career without a single day of rest during the entire race.
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“Comparing this to Russ Cook’s race through Africa, where there were several days off (I think, with all due respect) is in itself a bit of a stretch, comparing a half marathon to a full marathon.
‘So for me it’s not about paying attention to myself. But put the scale right so that recreational runners can get an idea of where the maximum limits are in ultra running. And hopefully inspire me.”
Cook, from Worthing, West Sussex, was hugged by loved ones and fans as he crossed the finish line at the northernmost point of Tunisia today.
He put his hands on his head in disbelief and flexed his muscles atop a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea while surrounded by reporters and photographers.
After crossing the finish line wearing a bucket hat and a retro England shirt, Cook walked to the sea and cooled off with a dip. ‘I’m a little tired. “I’m a little tired,” he admitted as he stood topless in the water.
One man joked, “Let’s get you a strawberry daiquiri,” and Cook responded, “Yeah, let’s fuck off.”
The runner has joked many times about receiving the frozen cocktail as a reward for his epic effort. Speaking to Sky News at the finish line, the endurance athlete said: “I’m pretty tired.”
Delighted fans chanted ‘Geezer, Geezer, Geezer’, with one telling reporters: “I just wanted to be part of this.” It’s a piece of history.’
He originally hoped to reach the mega distance in 240 days, but various obstacles have delayed his goal by about 100 days.
Russ Cook, 27, from Worthing, West Sussex, nicknamed ‘the toughest old man in Worthing’, started the challenge 351 days ago.
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.
After starting today’s final drive from a petrol station in Ghezala, Tunisia, at 10am, he told Sky News: “One more day, one last push to do this.”
He said he had “some tears” this morning and added: “352 days on the road is a long time without seeing family, my girlfriend.” My body hurts a lot but I only have one day, I’m not going to complain. Tonight we’re going to have strawberry daiquiris on the beach, it’s going to be unreal.
Cook has raised £685,000 for charities so far, and more than £250,000 has been donated in the last seven days thanks to the encouragement of his loyal fans.
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.
He originally hoped to reach the mega distance in 240 days, but various obstacles have delayed his goal by about 100 days.