‘Hardest Geezer’ Russ Cook to run full length of New Zealand

Russ Cook, the “Hardest Geezer” who ran the length of Africa, is set to start a new long-distance running challenge.

The fundraising runner, from Worthing, West Sussex, finished a 16,000km (9,941 miles) journey from the southernmost point of the continent – Cape Agulhas in South Africa – to Ras Angela, Tunisia in April last year.

Speaking to Kay Burley and Rob Harris on Sky News Breakfast, Cook said he will now run 3,000km (1,864 miles) and navigate mountainous terrain on the Te Araroa trail across New Zealand.

“We got about 30,000ft of elevation gain, [like] 60 back-to-back marathons,” he said. “I’m really excited to go out there and explore the country and get after it.”

The 27-year-old will kick off his latest challenge in March from Stirling Point in Bluff, located at the southern tip of the South Island.

With the finish line at Cape Reinga in Northland at the top of the North Island, Cook must navigate diverse terrain including mountains, native forests, cities and coastlines.

“It’s been a little while now since Africa, so the cogs are turning again and we’re back out there for another landmass,” he added.

“New Zealand, I couldn’t think of a better place to go… obviously, we banked up quite a lot of mileage in Africa, so the legs are well accustomed to that now.”

‘Thought I was going to die’

Cook also told Sky News about a moment during his Africa run when he was held hostage in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He said he was “separated from my sports team and then ended up on the back of a motorbike for seven hours” while running through the country – one of 16 he crossed during the ultra-marathon.

“We got driven into this little village… I thought I was going to die, it’s actually quite dramatic. We made contact with my team, and they got a rescue mission together, took about two days.

“And then we squared some money and it was all alright in the end. Lucky one, it really changed the way I thought about a lot of things.”

‘Ten Mount Everests’

The runner – also known as Hardest Geezer – added “there’s a lot of things with this one that I’m not quite sure how it’s going to go” – pointing to the elevation he’ll be running in New Zealand.

“We’re looking at about 10 Mount Everests in 10 weeks of elevation gain,” Cook said. “So you’re just going to be scaling mountains. We’ve also got to go through rivers, forests, the trail – it is really diverse.”

This time, Cook and his team will stop along the way to talk with people, with the runner saying: “It was one of the things I really like in Africa, getting to dive into a lot of the culture and learn about a lot of different people in a lot of different places.

“So with New Zealand, we’re going to really make an effort, stop and do that a little bit more this time, and get to learn about the Maori people and the indigenous culture.”

Read more:
Africa run contested by man who did it 14 years ago
Russ Cook’s inspiring message as he completed epic run

Cook has partnered with 100% Pure New Zealand, a campaign by Tourism New Zealand promoting the country, for this long-distance run.

Along with his 3,000km run, he will also go bungee jumping off the Auckland Harbour Bridge, skydiving above Abel Tasman National Park and swing across a canyon in Queenstown.

Rene de Monchy, chief executive at 100% Pure New Zealand, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Russ on his next incredible mission, and excited to help guide him through the wealth of landscapes, coasts, culture and cuisine the country has to offer all year round.

“Russ’s determination, sense of adventure and kindness towards others truly reflect the values of our nation.”