Russ Cook dinner, the “Hardest Geezer” who ran the size of Africa, is ready to begin a brand new long-distance operating problem.
The fundraising runner, from Worthing, West Sussex, completed a 16,000km (9,941 miles) journey from the southernmost level of the continent – Cape Agulhas in South Africa – to Ras Angela, Tunisia in April final 12 months.
“We got about 30,000ft of elevation gain, [like] 60 back-to-back marathons,” he stated. “I’m really excited to go out there and explore the country and get after it.”
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Russ Cook dinner ran your complete size of Africa – from South Africa to Tunisia. Pic: Reuters
The 27-year-old will kick off his newest problem in March from Stirling Level in Bluff, situated on the southern tip of the South Island.
With the end line at Cape Reinga in Northland on the prime of the North Island, Cook dinner should navigate numerous terrain together with 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.”
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Russ Cook dinner’s route alongside the size of Africa
‘Thought I used to be going to die’
He stated he was “separated from my sports team and then ended up on the back of a motorbike for seven hours” whereas operating by means of the nation – one in all 16 he crossed in the course of 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.
“After which we squared some cash and it was all alright ultimately. Fortunate one, it actually modified the way in which I considered lots of issues.”
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‘Ten Mount Everests’
The runner – often 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 operating in New Zealand.
“We’re looking at about 10 Mount Everests in 10 weeks of elevation gain,” Cook dinner stated. “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 dinner and his staff will cease alongside the way in which to speak with individuals, 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 will actually make an effort, cease and try this a little bit bit extra this time, and get to be taught concerning the Maori individuals and the indigenous tradition.”
Cook dinner has partnered with 100% Pure New Zealand, a marketing campaign by Tourism New Zealand selling the nation, for this long-distance run.
Alongside together with his 3,000km run, he can even go bungee leaping off the Auckland Harbour Bridge, skydiving above Abel Tasman Nationwide Park and swing throughout a canyon in Queenstown.
Rene de Monchy, chief govt at 100% Pure New Zealand, stated: “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 dedication, sense of journey and kindness in the direction of others actually mirror the values of our nation.”
