The Long Run : Russ Cook Of Britain Makes History As First Person To Run the Length Of Africa

Extreme marathon runner Russ Cook concluded his journey across the entire length of Africa in Tunisia on Sunday, covering 16 countries over 352 days. Along the 16,000-kilometer route, Cook encountered challenges including being robbed at gunpoint and battling food poisoning. He embarked on his adventure in April last year, starting from L’Agulhas, the southernmost point of Africa, and journeyed up the west coast of the continent.

“The first person ever to run the entire length of Africa. Mission complete,” Cook posted on social media platform X.

The 27-year-old traversed through Namibia, Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania, and Algeria before reaching Ras Angela on Sunday evening. Along his journey, the endurance athlete, known as the “Hardest Geezer,” also raised over half a million pounds for charity.