'Hardest Geezer' who ran length of Africa reveals next challenge is London Marathon

The “Hardest Geezer” will be running the London Marathon to keep his body “ticking over” after he ran the entire length of Africa.

Russell Cook ran the equivalent of 360 marathons, over 352 days, while running the entire length of Africa.

The 27-year-old from Worthing, West Sussex, crossed the finish line in Tunisia on April 7 after raising more than £944,000 for charity.

He is now home in the UK and thinking about his next challenge, which he revealed will be the London Marathon on Sunday.

Mr Cook told JaackMaate’s Happy Hour podcast he would be working with The Running Charity as a pacer for younger runners.

He said: “There are a few young people running, so I’m going to pace someone if they want to do a sub-four-hour or something. But I ain’t got a fast one in me, I won’t lie.

“In terms of my next big challenge, it’s going to be a hard one to top. And I don’t really want to be away for another year.”

Russ Cook arriving at Ras Angela, Tunisia’s most northerly point (The Snapshot People Ltd/PA Wire)

Next year, Mr Cook will take part in the Marathon des Sables – a seven-day race across the Sahara Desert.

Mr Cook crossed 16 countries when he ran 10,100 miles from Cape Agulhas in South Africa to Ras Angela, Tunisia.

He had set off from South Africa’s most southerly point on April 22 2023, and faced visa complications, health scares and an armed robbery.

After he had finished, Mr Cook said the challenge had “no doubt been the toughest of my life” but an “immense honour”.

“We have met incredible people in every single country we’ve been to that have welcomed us with love and kindness. The human spirit is a beautiful thing,” he wrote.

“Very grateful for these experiences and would definitely encourage anyone out there to go get after that adventure, whatever it looks like for you.

“Thank you to the people of Africa for being such an amazing part of this journey.”

Register now for one of the Evening Standard’s newsletters. From a daily news briefing to Homes & Property insights, plus lifestyle, going out, offers and more. For the best stories in your inbox, click here.