Utra-runner Russ Cook dinner, aka the “Hardest Geezer” completed his south-north run alongside the whole size of Africa after 350 days.
The Brit was aiming to turn out to be the primary particular person to complete this epic journey, that lined a distance of over 16 000kms. Cook dinner began at Cape Agulhus (the southern-most tip of Africa) and finshed at Tunisia’s most northerly level, Ras Angela.
Within the course of he raised greater than £700 000 for charity (R16.4m).
‘Hardest Geezer’s’ declare disputed
Cook dinner’s declare to be have been the primary man to finish this feat nonetheless has been disputed by the World Runners Affiliation (WRA).
In a press launch issued on 2 April, the WRA recognised Danish nationwide Jesper Kenn as being the primary man to traverse Africa on foot, between 2008 – 2010.
“WRA recognises Mr. Jesper Kenn of Denmark as the primary particular person to have run the size of Africa,” the assertion learn.
Not like Cook dinner, Olsen ran a north-south route, beginning the Africa crossing from Tabia in Egypt and ran 12 792km to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.
“The WRA subsequently contests the declare made by British nationwide Mr. Russ Cook dinner to be the primary particular person to run the size of Africa.”
The assertion from the WRA was amplified by fellow runner Tony Mangan on Fb, who stated that when he, Jesper and WRA tried to convey this error to Cook dinner’s consideration, they had been “met with resistance and denial from his crew and supporters.”
“As runners, we should always maintain one another accountable and attempt for honesty and integrity inside our neighborhood,” Mangan stated.
He additionally questioned Cook dinner’s motives behind his claims, and cited attainable causes like “publicity and a focus” and/ or sponsorship alternatives.
“On this state of affairs, it’s not nearly one runner claiming a world first … it’s concerning the influence it has on the working neighborhood as a complete,” Mangan added.
“By falsely claiming to be the primary runner to finish this journey, Russ Cook dinner is diminishing the achievements of Jesper and all different runners who’ve tried or accomplished this unimaginable feat.”
Cook dinner covers longer distance in a shorter area of time
Nonetheless, Cook dinner may nonetheless maintain onto the mantle of “Hardest Geezer” by managing to finish the journey in underneath a yr, and masking an extended distance in a shorter area of time.
Cook dinner confronted many challenges, together with a gunpoint theft in Angola. He got here in over 100 days behind his authentic purpose regardless of working over a marathon each day.
Olsen then again accomplished a 12 791km journey throughout his crossing, which took him 434 days.
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