British charity fundraiser Russ Cook, dubbed the “Hardest Geezer” on social media, recently concluded a remarkable journey, running the entire length of Africa in 352 days and covering around 10,000 miles. Starting from Cape Agulhas, South Africa’s southernmost point, Cook pushed through 16 countries to reach his final destination in Tunisia, North Africa. Throughout his year-long expedition, he faced a myriad of challenges, including theft, injuries, visa complications, and even an armed robbery.

Despite these hardships, Cook maintained his focus on the dual purpose of his quest: challenging his limits and raising funds for charity. By the end of his adventure, he succeeded in collecting over £690,000 for two charities, the Running Charity and Sandblast. These organizations support homeless youths and displaced individuals from Western Sahara, respectively.

However, Cook’s claim to be the first person to run the full length of Africa has been contested by the World Runners Association (WRA). The WRA pointed to Danish runner Jesper Kenn Olsen, who, according to their records, completed a similar feat in 2010, covering 7,949 miles from Egypt to South Africa. The WRA’s criteria for recognizing the first runner to complete the length of Africa differ from Cook’s journey, thus casting doubt on his record claim. Nevertheless, Guinness World Records has been approached to verify Cook’s achievement.

Despite the dispute over his record-setting claim, Cook’s journey has left an undeniable mark, not only through his endurance and determination but also through his significant charitable contributions. Having returned from his epic run, he planned a celebration in Bizerte, Tunisia, highlighting his journey’s end with strawberry daiquiris, live music, and, importantly, a sense of gratitude for the outpouring of support that fueled his challenging yet rewarding adventure.