'Hardest geezer' Russ Cook finishes epic run across Africa

Endurance running legend 'Hardest Geezer' aka Russ Cook has completed a historic run across the entire length of Africa, enduring 352 days of extreme challenges.

The 27-year-old from Worthing, West Sussex, who has rightfully earned his nickname, has traversed 16 countries and covered 16,000 kilometres since setting off on April 22 last year.

He has faced a test of endurance and also the many obstacles en route from visa complications and health scares to armed robbery as he attempted to become the first person to run the full length of the continent.

Russ set off at around 10am on Sunday from a petrol garage in Ghezala, a town in north-west Tunisia, and has now crossed the finish line located in Ras Angela, the country’s most northerly point.

He has spent 352 days on the road having started at South Africa’s most southerly point and has raised more than £650,000 for the Running Charity and Sandblast as part of the venture called Project Africa.

Speaking at the finish line, the 27-year-old endurance athlete said: “I’m pretty tired.” The 27-year-old earlier today said of his journey: “It’s quite hard to put into words, 352 days on the road, long time without seeing family, my girlfriend, my body is in a lot of pain but one more day, I’m not about to complain.”

"It was good, I'm a bit tired," he told Sky News after taking a dip in the ocean at the of the final leg. For the final day of his challenge, Mr Cook invited his supporters to take on the last marathon with him, with many flying out to Tunisia to run alongside him. “How can you be tired when there’s this many people running with you?,” he said. “There’s so much energy.”

Mr Cook announced he will be throwing a finish line party to celebrate his feat at a hotel in