Russell Cook, known as the “Hardest Geezer,” has embarked on another outrageous journey. This time Cook will run from Wembley Stadium in London, England, to Germany in support of England’s Euro 2024 campaign. The country has never won a European Championship.
The 27-year-old from Worthing, West Sussex, started his 352-mile (566 km) run on Tuesday afternoon (June 11), with the goal of reaching Germany’s Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, a city in the western part of the country, by Sunday for England’s match.
This latest challenge comes just two months after Cook completed a grueling run across the entire length of Africa. He finished his Project Africa in Tunisia on April 7, after 352 days of battling visa issues, health scares, geopolitical tensions, and even an armed robbery. Through these challenges, Cook managed to raise over £1 million ($1.27 million) for charity.
Cook’s previous project began on April 22, 2023, at South Africa’s southernmost point and spanned over 10,190 miles (16,400 km) to Tunisia. Initially, he planned to complete the equivalent of 360 marathons in 240 days but had to extend his timeline due to the various complications. In addition to his African journey, Cook participated in the London Marathon this past April and is set to run the Sahara Marathon next year.
Once in Germany, Cook plans to continue his journey by running from city to city, following the English team throughout the tournament. “I am buzzing to be back on the road again,” said Cook. “If people spot me along the way, please feel free to give me a wave or even run alongside me for a while.”
For this run, Cook is raising funds for The Running Charity, which supports young people who are homeless or have complex needs. His sponsorships from Sports Direct and Score Draw will also be donated to this cause.
