Hardest Geezer Russ Cook begins running length of New Zealand | UK News

A man who ran the entire length of Africa has begun his latest challenge – running the full length of New Zealand.

Russ Cook, nicknamed Hardest Geezer, completed his previous endurance challenge in April last year after 352 days.

The 27-year-old, from Worthing, West Sussex, plans to run the 1,864 mile (3,000km) Te Araroa Trail, which will see him take on 60 ultramarathons while navigating mountains, forests, coastlines and cities.

“The incredible, warm welcome I’ve received so far has already given me a glimpse of how special the journey ahead of me will be,” he said.

He has begun the challenge at Stirling Point in Bluff – the southern tip of New Zealand’s South Island – and will run northbound for about 60 days to the finish line in Cape Rēinga, in Northland.

Mr Cook said he expected to climb the equivalent of approximately 10 Mount Everests in elevation over approximately the next 10 weeks.

During the challenge, he is also due to bungee jump off Auckland Harbour Bridge, canyon swing in Queenstown and sky dive in Abel Tasman.

He said he was excited to be “back on the road again” in his first major expedition since running the length of Africa.

“If anything, from my experiences before in Africa, it has made me more finely attuned to the risks that I can take and the risks that I can’t take,” he said.

“A lot of personal growth is done in those little uncomfortable spots.

“You’re not totally 100% sure, but you go for it anyway, and you make it happen, and that’s when you learn.”

Mr Cook raised more than £1m for charity during his previous challenge in Africa, despite complications with visas, health scares, geopolitical issues and an armed robbery.

The extreme challenge began at South Africa’s most southerly point on 22 April 2023, and finished more than 10,190 miles (16,400km) north in Tunisia.

The ultramarathon runner said he planned to continue living adventurously for as long as his body allowed.

“When I’m older, when the body’s keeled over a bit, I expect I’ll pick up where I left off,” he said.