Latest news with #HardestGeezer
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hardest Geezer Russ Cook finishes running length of New Zealand
A man who ran the entire length of Africa has completed his latest challenge – running the full length of New Cook, nicknamed Hardest Geezer, has run more than 1,553 miles (2,500km) in 73 days."We took a few dings on the way through, but made it out the other side," he 28-year-old, from Worthing, West Sussex, completed his previous endurance challenge of running the entire length of Africa in April last year after 352 days. He begun the latest challenge at Stirling Point in Bluff - the southern tip of New Zealand's South Island - and ran northbound to the finish line in Cape Rēinga, in completion, he said: "Running the length of New Zealand - completed it mate."Massive thank you to the people of this country, your kindness, hospitality and mad scenery made this one unforgettable."We did it, boys. What a ride. Back to training." During the challenge, Mr Cook faced setbacks including a shin muscle he also clocked his fastest ever 100km time, of 11 hours."New Zealand gave me a proper hiding at times, brutal trails, wild weather, and more than a few wobbly moments, but it's also one of the most welcoming, stunning places I've ever run through," he added."From the mountains to the coast, it's got some serious variety, and the people made it even better. I hope everyone that's after a bit of adventure, can come and experience it here." He added that he had gone through seven pairs of shoes during the challenge, eaten hundreds of pies and climbed "a bucket load of mountains".Prior to the challenge, Mr Cook told the BBC he expected to climb the equivalent of approximately 10 Mount Everests in elevation across about 10 weeks of Cook raised more than £1m for charity during his previous challenge in Africa, despite complications with visas, health scares, geopolitical issues and an armed 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.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inspired teen's dream run along length of UK
A teenager has started his attempt to run the length of the UK to raise money for a mental health charity. Marcus, known to his tens of thousands of social media followers as The Hull Boy, set off on his 840-mile (1,350km) journey from Land's End to John O'Groats on Tuesday. The 17-year-old started to run one mile a day a year ago, before taking part in his first marathon in September, accompanied by his friend Russ Cook - known as Hardest Geezer - who made global headlines after running along the length of Africa. Marcus, who lives with his parents in Malton, North Yorkshire, said: "I'm loving every minute of it. I like being outdoors." However, Marcus admitted the challenge was proving tough, both physically and mentally, with hills sapping his energy. Marcus previously said he had suffered with mental health challenges so enjoying the outdoors while raising money for the Mind mental health charity was important to him. "I genuinely believe anyone can achieve anything if they put their mind to it," he said. Marcus revealed he was inspired to attempt his latest challenge after being asked by Mr Cook what he wanted to achieve in life. The teenager, who hopes the run will raise £20,000 for Mind, said he replied that it was his "dream" to run the length of the UK. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Teen's charity run finale with The Hardest Geezer Teenager's 'best day' with The Hardest Geezer Hardest Geezer: Runner completes Africa challenge Mind
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inspired teen's dream run along length of UK
A teenager has started his attempt to run the length of the UK to raise money for a mental health charity. Marcus, known to his tens of thousands of social media followers as The Hull Boy, set off on his 840-mile (1,350km) journey from Land's End to John O'Groats on Tuesday. The 17-year-old started to run one mile a day a year ago, before taking part in his first marathon in September, accompanied by his friend Russ Cook - known as Hardest Geezer - who made global headlines after running along the length of Africa. Marcus, who lives with his parents in Malton, North Yorkshire, said: "I'm loving every minute of it. I like being outdoors." However, Marcus admitted the challenge was proving tough, both physically and mentally, with hills sapping his energy. Marcus previously said he had suffered with mental health challenges so enjoying the outdoors while raising money for the Mind mental health charity was important to him. "I genuinely believe anyone can achieve anything if they put their mind to it," he said. Marcus revealed he was inspired to attempt his latest challenge after being asked by Mr Cook what he wanted to achieve in life. The teenager, who hopes the run will raise £20,000 for Mind, said he replied that it was his "dream" to run the length of the UK. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Teen's charity run finale with The Hardest Geezer Teenager's 'best day' with The Hardest Geezer Hardest Geezer: Runner completes Africa challenge Mind
BBC News
12-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hardest Geezer Russ Cook begins running length of New Zealand
A man who ran the entire length of Africa has begun his latest challenge – running the full length of New Cook, nicknamed Hardest Geezer, completed his previous endurance challenge in April last year after 352 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 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 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 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.
BBC News
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Warwickshire man quits job to run length of UK for charity
A delivery driver has quit his job to run the length of the UK in a month for a cause close to his Ward, 24, from Warwickshire, was inspired by "Hardest Geezer", also known as Russ Cook, who ran the 8,000 km (5,000 mile) length of Africa in April Ward, who lives in Atherstone, began his journey, which is about 874 miles, on 26 February at John O'Groats in is raising money for Rett UK, after his friend's four year-old daughter, Poppy, was diagnosed with a neurological condition called Rett syndrome. It is a rare genetic disorder that affects brain development, resulting in severe mental and physical disability, and is almost exclusively seen in girls."I started running in lockdown and I kind of got the bug for it, so over the last few years I have been doing different marathons in Paris and Amsterdam," he said. "I also watched the Hardest Geezer and Ashley Cain and others who have done challenges like this and and thought, why not give it a go myself."Mr Ward has been averaging 26 miles a day, and has mainly been camping, but freshens up at hotels if donations allow that."People I've never met have been offering to pay for hotels so I can recover faster and it is so kind as they don't have to do that," he said."I just take every day as it comes - if I feel I'm okay and don't need a hotel, I'll camp, but if when I'm camping I wake up and feel I really need a shower, I'll try and go to [a hotel], as using wipes all the time really makes you appreciate having a shower."Mr Ward has been documenting his journey on TikTok and Instagram, and has raised more than £2,400 so far."I've had so many people driving past when I'm not feeling so great, beeping their horns, waving, people messaging me saying: 'When you run through here you can stay with me and we'll get you food'," he Ward hopes to finish his mammoth run at Land's End, Cornwall, on 29 March. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
