April 8, 2024
2 mins read

UK man reaches his goal of running the length of Africa

Cook, who has spoken about how running helped him deal with his own mental health struggles, previously ran about 3,000 kilometers (2,000 miles) from Istanbul to Worthing in 68 days…reports Asian Lite News

Sore and sandblasted but triumphant, runner Russ Cook reached the northernmost point of Africa on Sunday, almost a year after he set off from its southern tip on a quest to run the length of the continent.

Dozens of supporters gathered on a rocky outcrop beside the Mediterranean in northern Tunisia, cheering on the British charity fundraiser, who has run more than 16,000 kilometers (10,000 miles) across 16 countries in 352 days.

“I’m a little bit tired,” Cook said — likely an understatement.

In the course of his journey the 27-year-old endurance athlete from Worthing in southern England crossed jungle and desert, swerved conflict zones and was delayed by theft, injury and visa problems.

Cook — known on social media by his nickname, Hardest Geezer — set off on April 22, 2023 from Cape Agulhas in South Africa, the continent’s southernmost point. He hoped to complete the journey in 240 days, running the equivalent of more than a marathon every day.

He and his team had money, passports and equipment stolen in a gunpoint robbery in Angola. He was temporarily halted by back pain in Nigeria. And he was almost stopped in his tracks by the lack of a visa to enter Algeria, before diplomatic intervention from the Algerian embassy in Britain managed to secure the required documents.

Cook, who has spoken about how running helped him deal with his own mental health struggles, previously ran about 3,000 kilometers (2,000 miles) from Istanbul to Worthing in 68 days.

His African run has raised more than 690,000 pounds ($870,000) for the Running Charity, which works with homeless young people, and Sandblast, a charity that helps displaced people from Western Sahara.

“It’s quite hard to put into words, 352 days on the road, long time without seeing family, my girlfriend,” Cook told Sky News as he started running Sunday, accompanied by supporters who’d come from far and wide to run the final stretch with him. “My body is in a lot of pain. But one more day, I’m not about to complain.”

Cook said he planned to celebrate with a party, where British band Soft Play was due to perform. “We’re going to have strawberry daiquiris on the beach tonight,” he said. “It’s going to be unreal.”

ALSO READ-UK Renews Support for Two State Solution

Previous Story

Pellegrini wins Slovakian presidential elections

Next Story

Ukraine drones hit Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

Latest from Africa News

India, Chad tighten defence bond

India strengthens its strategic footprint in Africa as Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Chad’s envoy explore new avenues of military cooperation, training, and counter-terrorism collaboration….reports Asian Lite News Defence Secretary Rajesh

India, Honduras strengthen trade, investment ties

Ambassador Singh invited Honduran businesses to explore opportunities in India’s rapidly expanding economy…reports Asian Lite News Reaffirming their commitment to mutual growth and prosperity, Tegucigalpa hosted a business seminar titled ‘Viksit Bharat

India, Uganda vow deeper ties

Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh met Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday to discuss strengthening India–Uganda ties….reports Asian Lite News Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh met

Former Kenyan PM dies in Kerala hospital

Kenya mourns the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, a champion of democracy and cherished friend of India, who passed away in Kerala at 80….reports Asian Lite News Kenya’s former Prime

China’s Grab for Africa

China’s investments aim to strengthen its geopolitical influence and its high-tech manufacturing sector in Africa…reports Asian Lute News China is further consolidating its dominance in the rare earth elements sector by expanding
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Ramaphosa to visit India if team reaches World Cup final

The progress of the South African cricket team in the

British Indian bags Gordon Burn Prize

The Gordon Burn Prize celebrates the year’s most dazzlingly bold