UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently went for a run past a few of London’s landmarks alongside ultrarunner Russ Cook, better known as “Hardest Geezer.”
Cook recently completed the 2024 London Marathon to continue his fundraising efforts and support younger runners. Just weeks before that, he completed Project Africa, a 10,000-mile run across the length of Africa to raise funds (over $1.25 million USD so far) for two charities.
Only a few thousand miles to go…
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) April 25, 2024
My morning run with @HardestGeezer, congrats on Project Africa hitting £1 million. pic.twitter.com/RyIZaDm3R7
During the run, Sunak praised Cook as “powerful” and “inspiring,” speaking about the importance of role models in promoting mental health awareness. Sunak highlighted Cook’s fundraising efforts, noting their substantial impact on the public.
Cook questioned Sunak about his most stressful days as Prime Minister, to which Sunak candidly responded, “Generally, the most stressful days relate to security days because people’s lives are at risk or I’m asking our soldiers or armed forces to put their lives at risk.”
Sunak also addressed the challenges of public opinion, stating, “You just have to accept that. I always say if at the end of the day, if I look myself in the mirror and know that I’m working as hard as I can doing what I believe is right for the country, the rest is the rest.”
Passers-by, including supporters of Cook’s charitable endeavors, offered encouragement during the run.
