Doubts have been raised over whether or not ‘Hardest Geezer’ Russ Cook dinner can actually declare to be the primary individual to ever run the complete size of Africa.
Cook dinner, 27, celebrated on Sunday as he accomplished his 10,100-mile run from Cape Agulhas in South Africa to Ras Angela, Tunisia, in 352 days.
He crossed 16 nations as he ran the equal of 385 marathons, and claimed to be the primary individual to ever run the size of the African continent, all whereas surviving machete-wielding bandits, meals poisoning and even visa issues.
However his declare has been thrown into query by a tiny worldwide sporting physique.
Made up of simply seven members, the World Runners Affiliation (WRA) claimed that one in every of its founders really deserved the title over Cook dinner.
Cook dinner, 27, (pictured) right this moment celebrated as he accomplished his 10,100 miles from Cape Agulhas in South Africa to Ras Angela, Tunisia, in 352 days
He crossed 16 nations as he ran the equal of 385 marathons a day, and claimed to be the primary individual to ever run the size of the African continent
Made up of simply seven members, the World Runners Affiliation (WRA) claimed that one in every of its founders Jesper Olsen (pictured) really deserved the title over Cook dinner
The group mentioned that Danish athlete Jesper Olsen achieved the feat in 2010, when he ran 7,949 miles from Taba in Egypt to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa in 434 days as a part of an ultramarathon problem that noticed him run internationally.
Cook dinner mentioned that his journey, which was from Africa’s most southern to its most northern level, was 2,113 miles longer than Olsen’s was, however the group was adamant that Olsen was the primary individual to attain the feat.
The WRA mentioned that because the size of Africa ‘is calculated at 8,000km [4,971 miles] because the crow flies’, it doesn’t matter that Cook dinner’s distance was longer.
President Phil Essam advised the Telegraph: ‘The WRA recognises Mr Jesper Kenn Olsen of Denmark as the primary individual to have run the complete size of Africa.
‘The World Runners Affiliation due to this fact contests the declare made by British nationwide Mr Russ Cook dinner to be the primary individual to run the size of Africa.’
Olsen himself tried to undermine Cook dinner’s efforts, telling the paper that different runners had accomplished comparable lengths with out taking breaks as Cook dinner had.
‘[French runner] Serge Girard in his world run crossed 5 continents and accomplished his run with out one single break day throughout your entire run.
Your browser doesn’t help iframes.
‘To match this with Russ Cook dinner’s run by Africa the place there have been a number of days off – I feel, with all respect – is in itself a little bit of a stretch, to check a half-marathon with a full marathon.
‘So for me it is not about placing consideration on myself. However to place the proper scale to issues so leisure runners can get an thought of the place the maximal limits are in ultra-running. And hopefully get impressed.’
Cook dinner from Worthing, West Sussex, was embraced by family members and supporters as he crossed the end line at Tunisia’s most northerly level right this moment.
He put his fingers on his head in disbelief and flexed his muscle tissues on prime of a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea as he was surrounded by reporters and photographers.
After he crossed the end line sporting a bucket hat and a retro England shirt, Cook dinner walked to the ocean and cooled off by taking a dip. ‘I am a bit drained. I am just a little bit drained,’ he admitted as he stood topless within the water.
One man joked ‘let’s get you a strawberry daiquiri, Cook dinner replied: ‘Yeah, let’s f*** off’.
The runner has typically joked about having the frozen cocktail as a reward for his epic effort. Talking to Sky Information on the end line, the endurance athlete mentioned: ‘I am fairly drained.’
Delighted followers chanted ‘Geezer, Geezer, Geezer’, with one telling reporters: ‘I simply needed to be a part of it. It is a piece of historical past’.
Initially he had hoped to attain the mega distance in 240 days, however completely different obstacles have delayed his end by round 100 days
Russ Cook dinner, 27 from Worthing, West Sussex dubbed ‘Worthing’s Hardest Geezer’ began the problem 351 days in the past
Cook dinner claimed his help van was raided by ‘determined blokes with weapons’ and that the armed males stole his staff’s cameras, cellphones and a few passports
After beginning right this moment’s final run from a petroleum station in Ghezala, Tunisia, at 10am, he advised Sky Information: ‘Yet one more day, one remaining push to get this factor carried out.’
He mentioned he had a ‘few tears’ this morning, including: ‘352 days on the highway is a very long time with out seeing household, my girlfriend. My physique is in a whole lot of ache however I’ve solely obtained at some point, I am not about to complain. We will have strawberry daiquiris on the seashore tonight, it should be unreal.’
Cook dinner has raised £685,000 for charity to date, with greater than £250,000 donated during the last seven days as his loyal following spur him on.
The athlete, who’s a self-described former ‘fats lad’ with alcohol and playing points, was launched to lengthy distance operating when he entered a half marathon aged 21.
He initially hoped to attain the mega distance in 240 days, however completely different obstacles have delayed his end by round 100 days.
