UK's 'hardest geyser' completes problem to run to Africa

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Russ Cook dinner accomplished the journey of greater than 16,000 km (9,940 mi) in 352 days, elevating $870,000 for 2 totally different charities.

Sore and sand-soaked however triumphant, runner Russ Cook dinner has reached the northernmost level of Africa, nearly a 12 months after departing from its southern tip in a quest to run the size of the continent.

Dozens of supporters gathered on a rocky cliff alongside the Mediterranean Sea in northern Tunisia on Sunday to cheer on the British charity fundraiser, which has run greater than 16,000 km (9,940 miles) throughout 16 nations in 352 days, and is taken into account That he’s the primary particular person. To finish the achievement.

“I'm a little bit drained,” Cook dinner stated – in all probability an understatement.

Throughout his journey, the 27-year-old endurance athlete from Worthing, southern England, traversed jungle and desert, crossed battle zones and been delayed by theft, harm and visa issues.

Cook dinner – recognized by his nickname Hardest Geyser on social media – set off from Cape Agulhas, South Africa, the southernmost level of the continent, on April 22, 2023. He hoped to finish the journey in 240 days, which might be the equal of operating greater than a marathon each day.

theft in angola

Cook dinner and his crew's cash, passports and tools have been stolen in a theft at gunpoint in Angola. He was quickly sidelined in Nigeria resulting from again ache. And earlier than he managed to safe the required paperwork by means of the diplomatic intervention of the Algerian Embassy in the UK, his path was nearly blocked by the shortage of a visa to enter Algeria.

Cook dinner, who has spoken about how operating helped him take care of his psychological well being struggles, had beforehand run from Istanbul to Worthing, roughly 3,000 km (1,860 mi) in 68 days.

His African race has raised greater than 690,000 kilos ($870,000) for The Working Charity, which works with homeless youth, and Sandblast, a charity that helps displaced individuals of Western Sahara.

“It's fairly tough to place into phrases, 352 days on the street, a very long time with out seeing the household, my girlfriend,” Cook dinner advised Sky Information as he began the run on Sunday, accompanied by supporters who had come alongside to run. – Got here from far-off. Final cease with him.

“My physique is in a whole lot of ache. However one other day, I'm not going to complain.”

Cook dinner stated he deliberate to have a good time with a celebration, the place British band Comfortable Play was to carry out.

“We're going to eat strawberry daiquiris on the seaside tonight,” he stated. “It's going to be surreal.”

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