British citizen, Russel Cook, has successfully run the full length of Africa and has reportedly become the first person to do so.
Cook set off on April 22 last year from Cape Agulhas in South Africa – the continent’s southernmost point – and crossed the finish line in Ras Angela, Tunisia, the continent’s northernmost point 352 days later.
His African run has raised more than US$870 000 for the Running Charity, which works with homeless young people, and Sandblast, a charity that helps displaced people from Western Sahara.
The 27-year-old from Worthing, West Sussex, said he had struggled with his mental health, gambling, and drinking, and wanted to make a difference by running for charity.
Starting in South Africa, Cook passed through 16 countries: Namibia, Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania and Algeria, before arriving at Ras Angela on Sunday evening (April 7).
The mammoth run saw him cover over 16 000km and take over 19 million steps.
