Worthing man hoping to become first to run the length of Africa
Russ Cook will be completing 360 marathons in 240 days
A man from Worthing is hoping to become the first person to run the length of Africa.
Russ Cook will be completing 360 marathons in 240 days starting on Sunday, February 5th, and wants to inspire others to "throw everything and the kitchen sink at life".
The 25-year-old, who is an adventure running guide at The Running Charity, claims he had the idea after running from Asia to London in 2019 solo and unassisted.
Russ said: "I did that challenge and then I was literally just staring at a map thinking, 'what can I do next?'.
"Then I looked online and saw that the length of Africa had not been done before and that seemed like a good one to go for, even if it has so far been a logistical nightmare."
He will be taking on 16 countries including Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, Cameroon, Angola and South Africa, with no rest days, with an aim to finish within eight months.
Russ added: "This one is longer and so much more challenging in a lot of ways, but I'm just trying to stay positive.
"I wanted to do this in eight months because if I did one a day, I would be running for a year and that's quite a long time, but who knows what will happen.
"I'll be doing my best to make sure I do it in eight months, but if it takes longer, I will accept that - as long as I get to the finish line, that's all that matters to me."
Throughout the 15,000km challenge he will be joined by a support team who will follow him in a van.
They are now raising money for the vital work The Running Charity does to help young people in difficulties.