Russ Cook, a 27-year-old Englishman, has just completed an incredible feat – running across the continent of Africa from south to north. However, his year-long journey was far from easy, as he faced robbery, illness, and even encounters with men wielding machetes along the way.
Cook began his epic run on April 22, 2023, from Cape Agulhas, South Africa, and finished on Sunday in Cape Angela, Tunisia. Throughout his journey, he passed through 16 countries, sticking mostly to the west side of the continent for safety reasons.
Despite his careful planning, Cook encountered numerous challenges. In Angola, he was robbed at gunpoint, while in Namibia, he suffered from food poisoning. In the Republic of Congo, he faced men with machetes, and in Algeria, he had visa issues.
One of the most harrowing incidents occurred in the Republic of Congo when Cook was separated from his team and encountered men with machetes who demanded money. With only a half-eaten cookie to offer, Cook handed it over and ran for safety. Later, he was taken on a seven-hour ride by strangers on motorbikes before being reunited with his team.
In addition to these frightening experiences, Cook also battled back pain, food poisoning, and other health issues, which led to more rest days than he had initially planned and lower daily mileage. Despite these setbacks, he managed to run 10,100 miles and raise 690,000 pounds for charity.
Cook’s accomplishment is even more impressive considering the previous traverse of the continent by a Danish athlete in 2010. While the World Runners Association recognized Cook as the first to run from the southernmost to northernmost point of Africa, he remains humble, giving credit to all those who have undertaken similar challenges.
After completing his ultra-ultramarathon, Cook celebrated with a strawberry daiquiri and a few beers, reflecting on the ups and downs of his journey. As he looks ahead to his first day post-exploit, Cook plans to focus on stretching and getting a much-needed haircut.
Despite the hardships and dangers he faced, Cook’s determination and resilience have inspired many, proving that with perseverance and a strong spirit, even the most challenging obstacles can be overcome.
