Worthing's Russell Cook the 'Hardest Geezer' to run length of Africa

Russell Cook, from Worthing, is preparing for his latest record-breaking challenge, to run 360 marathons across the length of Africa.

Setting off from Tunisia in November, the 25-year-old will run for eight months across the continent through 16 countries and will brave the Sahara desert, Congo rainforest and Namibian desert.

“I’m really excited for it,” he said.

“No one’s done the entire length before, and I thought that was cool.

“And it’s also probably the most difficult continent to cross.

“I’m not daunted at all I’m just excited. Whatever happens I’ll be ready.”

The 15,000km trek is just one of a long line of extraordinary challenges Russell has taken on.

In 2021 he was buried alive for a week with only water

Last year he was buried alive for a week with nothing but water and a camera which provided a livestream to YouTube.

In 2020, he ran 26 miles along Worthing seafront with a 730kg Suzuki Alto attached to him, smashing the world record for the quickest marathon run while pulling a car by recording a time of nine hours and 56 minutes.

In 2020, he ran 26 miles along Worthing seafront with a 730kg Suzuki Alto attached to him

The year before he took on 71 marathons in a 66-day stint from Asia to London unassisted, becoming the first man to ever do so.

“It started when I was 19,” he said.

“I hadn’t done any sport or fitness for years.

“I was in quite a bad place, I was drinking a lot, gambling a lot and I had a mate who reached out to me and asked if I wanted to do the Brighton Half Marathon.”

Russell completed the run before deciding to take on the full Brighton Marathon.

“Through the process of training for a marathon I learnt the values of running, discipline, self-belief,” he said.

“I had that for the first time in my life and it really empowered me, and I applied it to other things in my life.”

Russell saved up money and decided to quit his job and go travelling.

It was while he was travelling that he became inspired to embark on his first challenge of running from Asia to London when met a man who had been cycling around the world for six days.

Crossing the line at Worthing Pier after running from Asia

“It’s been non-stop since then,” he said.

The serial adventurer is currently training for the African saga by running 200 to 300 kilometres a week.

He is also gaining support from sponsors to fund the expedition.

The challenge will be documented, and Russell will have three people supporting him.

He will also be using the run to raise funds for the Running Charity, which he has supported for some time.

“I’m going to be raising money for the Running Charity,” he said.

“They try and be there for the most vulnerable people in the country by using running and sport as a catalyst to empower them to make the changes they want in their lives.”