Inside 'Hardest Geezer' Russ Cook's 10,000-mile odyssey: How marathon runner ... trends now
He survived being held at gunpoint by robbers, a terrifying hostage ordeal and multiple health problems - including urinating blood.
But now the self-declared 'Hardest Geezer' Russ Cook has finally completed his mammoth challenge of running more than 10,000 miles across the length of the African continent.
Starting in Cape Agulhas, South Africa, the 27-year-old jogging fanatic reached the first border crossing to Namibia just over two weeks later.
Crossing 16 countries as he ran the equivalent of 385 marathons, he completed his 10,100-mile run to Ras Angela, Tunisia, in 352 days - and claimed to be the first person to ever run the length of the African continent.
Russ Cook crossed 16 countries as he ran the equivalent of 385 marathons a day, and claimed to be the first person to ever run the length of the African continent
Cook said he was attacked for £2 and held by a local village for money - confronted by a group of people holding machetes
But on Day 43, he began to urinate blood so saw a doctor. Eight days later, he crossed the second border to Angola.
By Day 60, he had completed 3,000km, (1864 miles) but four days later he says he was held at gunpoint.
Cook lost his phones, cash and passport - and afterwards had a police escort in Angola.
He was delayed by 15 days when he left Angola to get new visas and a passport.
But he again encountered trouble when on Day 102, he went missing and was separated from his supporters for days in the jungle in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He said he was attacked for £2 and held by a local village for money - confronted by a group of people holding machetes.
His followers eventually managed to free him by paying off the villagers - and he detailed the ordeal in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Then 22 days later, he completed the Republic of Congo crossing and by Day 160 he reached the half-way point at the Cameroon border crossing.
Cook, 27, (pictured) celebrated as he completed his 10,100 miles from Cape Agulhas in South Africa to Ras Angela, Tunisia, in 352 days
British runner Russ Cook is joined by supporters on the final leg of his challenge
A man holds up a Tunisian national flag behind runner Russ Cook as the latter gestures by the memorial sign marking the northern-most point of Africa upon arrival at Cape Angela
At about 200 days in, he saw a doctor for back pain and received some scans
Cook spent Christmas Day in Guinea on Day 246 but again hit a stumbling block when he ran into visa issues in Algeria, 271 days in. He turned to social media to help get a visa
After a social media campaign, the Algerian Embassy said it would grant Cook a courtesy visa
At 200 days in, he saw a doctor for back pain and received some scans before reaching the Benin border crossing 12 days later.
Day 241 was the longest run of his marathon, covering 110km (68 miles).
Cook spent Christmas Day in Guinea on Day 246 but again hit a stumbling block when he ran into visa issues in Algeria, 271 days in.
