"Hardest Geezer" running the full length of Africa
Discussion
Has anyone been following Russ Cook AKA The Hardest Geezer running the full length of Africa? I had a search and couldn't find anything.
He's a lad from Worthing who decided to start running north from Cape Town, and in a couple of days he'll be arriving as Ras Angela in Tunisia, the Northernmost point of Africa.
I've been following it from the beginning and its been fascinating. He runs a marathon a day, and for this finishing stretch he's running 75km a day through the desert, which is just insane.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUWRZr0nyk0
He's a lad from Worthing who decided to start running north from Cape Town, and in a couple of days he'll be arriving as Ras Angela in Tunisia, the Northernmost point of Africa.
I've been following it from the beginning and its been fascinating. He runs a marathon a day, and for this finishing stretch he's running 75km a day through the desert, which is just insane.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUWRZr0nyk0
Edited by Shay HTFC on Tuesday 26th March 07:11
I've been following him on Instagram from almost the start. It's an amazing achievement. Particularly when he's been running while having the sh*ts and p*ssing blood!
It's a shame it's not been getting more press. He deserves far more credit.
Edit to add, what's even more remarkable is he's a ginger running through Africa!
It's a shame it's not been getting more press. He deserves far more credit.
Edit to add, what's even more remarkable is he's a ginger running through Africa!
ts and pissing blood. Yep, seems worth it.I have followed him since early days, South Africa-ish.
An amazing achievement without doubt but it hasn't been without significant risks, not only to his health. There was a point at which he was kidnapped also some big hurdles regarding visas etc.
As for the above poster "more like run/walking"...thanks for the input. Perhaps you could regale us of your achievements regarding ultra "run/walking" or even how you could do it faster under power of your own legs?
An amazing achievement without doubt but it hasn't been without significant risks, not only to his health. There was a point at which he was kidnapped also some big hurdles regarding visas etc.
As for the above poster "more like run/walking"...thanks for the input. Perhaps you could regale us of your achievements regarding ultra "run/walking" or even how you could do it faster under power of your own legs?
Just watched my first episode (albeit not *the* first episode).
As a (mostly former) runner, I have no end of respect for the feats people like this achieve.
If you've ever run a single marathon, you'll know just how tough distance running can be, even if you're very fit and it all goes to plan. Those of us that have done them on injuries have a slightly better idea where this guy is at. But he's doing it basically every day for a year or so. Imagine how you felt 2 days after a marathon and that's this guy's life.
I know Ben Smith who did a marathon every day for a year (Russ is running further each day from what I can see) and it didn't do him any good long term. His heart is so enlarged and the doctors can't tell him whether this is bad or not because almost nobody else has ever done anything similar.
It's the feat of a lifetime, I wish him well and I'll definitely be following the rest of the trip.
As a (mostly former) runner, I have no end of respect for the feats people like this achieve.
If you've ever run a single marathon, you'll know just how tough distance running can be, even if you're very fit and it all goes to plan. Those of us that have done them on injuries have a slightly better idea where this guy is at. But he's doing it basically every day for a year or so. Imagine how you felt 2 days after a marathon and that's this guy's life.
I know Ben Smith who did a marathon every day for a year (Russ is running further each day from what I can see) and it didn't do him any good long term. His heart is so enlarged and the doctors can't tell him whether this is bad or not because almost nobody else has ever done anything similar.
It's the feat of a lifetime, I wish him well and I'll definitely be following the rest of the trip.
Only just watched the last video. What a fantastic edit that was! Got a bit dusty in here a couple of times!
It's hard to comprehend how big of an achievement it was. Not just for Russ but the rest of his team too. They've been so humble with it, never bragging or begging for donations, just getting on with it. Just over £900k raised at the moment I think. Really hope they get the team back together for more epic adventures in the future.
As for Nelly, although it's unlikely I do hope they bring her back to the UK again. I suppose it'd be hard to justify shipping a tired and well worn minibus back from Tunisia, but the fact they've driven (and sailed) a pretty bog standard Iveco Daily the length of Africa despite the smashes, crashes and mechanical mishaps is an achievement in itself.
It's hard to comprehend how big of an achievement it was. Not just for Russ but the rest of his team too. They've been so humble with it, never bragging or begging for donations, just getting on with it. Just over £900k raised at the moment I think. Really hope they get the team back together for more epic adventures in the future.
As for Nelly, although it's unlikely I do hope they bring her back to the UK again. I suppose it'd be hard to justify shipping a tired and well worn minibus back from Tunisia, but the fact they've driven (and sailed) a pretty bog standard Iveco Daily the length of Africa despite the smashes, crashes and mechanical mishaps is an achievement in itself.
Ha yes I think there was a bit of Sahara sand blowing over Yorkshire earlier!
It was an eye opener seeing the culture hospitality as well. Countries I would probably have thought were just war torn hell holes were full of lovely hospitable people. That guy that fixed Nelly the first time then drove 20 hours to do it a second time and still wouldn't take any payment....unreal.
I wonder what is next for Russ it's quite a thing to do at his age!
It was an eye opener seeing the culture hospitality as well. Countries I would probably have thought were just war torn hell holes were full of lovely hospitable people. That guy that fixed Nelly the first time then drove 20 hours to do it a second time and still wouldn't take any payment....unreal.
I wonder what is next for Russ it's quite a thing to do at his age!
Chainsaw Rebuild said:
Him and his team deserve just all of the applause. Its got to be one of the greatest achievements of our time! I only discovered him a few days ago.
Ive only just heard of him (via a running podcast i listen to). Currently working through the Africa playlist on his youtube. Absolutely incredible achievement
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