Dodging machetes and crossing sandstorms, ‘Hardest Geezer’ runs length of Africa

Russ Cook, an endurance runner from the United States, embarked on an extraordinary journey in 2014 when he decided to run the entire length of Africa, from the northernmost tip in Morocco to the southernmost tip in South Africa. This monumental feat covered approximately 16,300 kilometers (10,127 miles) and involved running through sixteen different countries.

Cook's journey began on March 27, 2014, in the coastal city of Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in Morocco. He started his run with a sense of determination and a clear goal in mind: to complete the longest recorded continuous run in history. However, he was soon faced with numerous challenges that tested both his physical and mental endurance.

As he made his way through Morocco, Cook encountered his first major obstacle: machete-wielding villagers. In an interview with The Guardian, he recounted an incident where a group of farmers chased him with machetes after mistaking him for a thief. Despite this harrowing experience, Cook managed to continue his run and eventually made it to Algeria.

The next leg of his journey took him through the Sahara Desert, where he faced another significant challenge: desert sandstorms. These storms, also known as haboobs, are massive walls of wind and sand that can reach up to 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) high and travel at speeds of up to 72 kilometers (45 miles) per hour. Cook described these storms as "a wall of sand coming at you like a freight train," but he persevered and managed to navigate through them with the help of local guides.

Throughout his journey, Cook also suffered from crippling bouts of food poisoning. In an interview with Runner's World, he admitted that he had contracted food poisoning multiple times, which forced him to take extended breaks from running to recover. Despite these setbacks, he continued to push forward, fueled by his determination to complete his mission.

Cook's journey took him through sixteen countries in total: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, and finally, South Africa. He completed his run on May 22, 2015, in Cape Agulhas, South Africa, becoming the first person to run the entire length of Africa.

Throughout his journey, Cook faced numerous challenges, including hostile villagers, desert sandstorms, and food poisoning. However, he never gave up and managed to complete his run, setting a new record for the longest continuous run in history. His determination and perseverance serve as an inspiration to runners and adventurers alike.