Russ Cook: Colchester man joins in for final stretch of Project Africa

Josh Baker and friend Ryan O’Dell flew to Tunisia on Sunday to join ‘Hardest Geezer’ Russ Cook as he crossed the finish line of what has been a year-long test of endurance.

Russ started his mammoth run on April 22 last year, setting off from the most southern point of the continent, Cape Agulhas in South Africa.

The 27-year-old, from Worthing, West Sussex, traversed more than 9,940 miles, running about 376 marathons across 16 countries in just under a year.

Icon - Russ Cook arriving at Ras Angela, Tunisia's most northerly point, on Sunday (Image: The Snapshot People Ltd/PA Wire)

For the final part of the run, Russ, who completed his gruelling journey 352 days after setting off, invited members of the public to join him.

Josh, who completed the final 13 miles of Russ' challenge, said: “Ryan and I have followed what Russ has been doing.

“After he put out a message inviting others to join in for the finale, we thought we’d give it a go.”

Achievement - Russ Cook’s route across Africa (Image: PA)

The incredible accomplishment, which was completed on Sunday, also raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity.

Russ invited members of the public to join him for different distances of the final stretch.

Josh, 36, added: “It was spontaneous, but we booked our flight and flew out there on Saturday.

Running - Josh Baker and Ryan O’Dell in Tunisia for the final stretch of Project Africa (Image: Public)

“We were originally going to do 10k but thought at the pace he had been running at on Strava we could potentially do the half.

“I ended up running 24k.”

Josh said there were hundreds of people joining in at each distance stop, with the pair even meeting two others from Colchester on their trip.

Journey - hundreds of runners joined in for the final stretch of Russ Cook's Project Africa (Image: Public)

“We are not avid runners, I have only run one half marathon,” he said.

“It was very tough in that heat and terrain, people were struggling but we thought if Russ can do what he has done we can do it.

“And he was brilliant, you think he would just want to get it done but he was making sure people were drinking water and ok to carry on.

“It was a surreal experience. We were there to see history.”

Following the finish, Josh joined Russ and everyone at an after-party event, even chatting to the record breaker himself.

Celebrations - the after party in Tunisia (Image: Public)

Josh said: “The energy was incredible, and Russ was so humble, one of the nicest people I have ever met.

“When the party was happening, he was chatting with everyone, giving so much of his time.

“He is a superhuman in every way and it was a simply amazing achievement.”