‘Toughest old man’ Russ Cook’s inspiring message as he completes epic run across Africa

There’s only one way to capture the significance of Russ Cook’s landmark mission finale – running with the history-maker.

Dozens of people flew in from the UK and beyond to join the support team The last stop on day 352 It is also the 16th country on this African trip.

Braving the early morning heat, they gathered at a gas station in the remote town of Ghezala in northern Tunisia, waiting for the arrival of the hero who had captured their imagination.

No one begrudges him a lie-in after logging 10,000 miles on the road during a journey across the continent last year.

When Cook arrived he was ready to go and we followed – Interview him while running Live on Sky News.

“Kind of tired. One last push. Done, done,” he said. “I shed a few tears this morning, so I’ve got it out of my system.”

Cook was wearing a retro 90s England football shirt, while I was trying to stay in a shirt and jeans as the temperature climbed above 25 degrees Celsius.

For Cook, it was a journey of discovering Africa and rediscovering himself.

Drinking and gambling had already plagued his mental health before he started running, and he took this to an extreme.

“You have one chance at life,” he told me. “Go get it stabbed.”

After checking that he was on the right track, the 27-year-old set off for the Tunisian countryside.

The terrain here is much flatter than last April’s hike on Africa’s west coast, which started at the continent’s southernmost tip near Cape Town.

Maintaining strength and safety is a constant concern.

In Angola, he was robbed at gunpoint and had his phone and passport stolen.

In August, he was kidnapped in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has lost all contact since. Villagers with machetes must be paid.

But the growing attention helped attract public and political support for the license, Algeria finally allows entry Avoid the more violent areas of North Africa.

Sickness, sandstorms and snow are a challenge even for the self-proclaimed “Toughest Old Man.”

But due to illness and injuries, he arrived in Ras Angela, Tunisia, before sunset on Sunday.

After the adventure of a lifetime, he went into the ocean to cool down after kissing his girlfriend.

“I’m a little tired,” he said.

Even Russ Cook couldn’t help but swim home – a grueling challenge that tested endurance and gumption, which was enough for now.