Man who ran length of Africa begins new challenge

Russ Cook, a man known for his adventurous spirit, has embarked on a new challenge after successfully running the entire length of Africa. This time, he is setting his sights on New Zealand, where he plans to run the Te Araroa Trail, which stretches for 1,864 miles or approximately 3,000 kilometers. This ambitious journey will require him to complete 60 ultramarathons while navigating through diverse terrains, including mountains, forests, coastlines, and urban areas. Russ, who is 27 years old and hails from Worthing in West Sussex, completed his previous challenge in Africa in April of last year, taking 352 days to finish. He expressed his excitement about the warm welcome he has received so far, stating, 'The incredible, warm welcome I've received so far has already given me a glimpse of how special the journey ahead of me will be. ' He began his new adventure at Stirling Point in Bluff, located at the southern tip of New Zealand's South Island, and plans to run north for about 60 days until he reaches Cape Rēinga in Northland. During this journey, he anticipates climbing the equivalent of around 10 Mount Everests in elevation over the next 10 weeks. In addition to the running, Russ has planned some thrilling activities along the way, including bungee jumping off the Auckland Harbour Bridge, canyon swinging in Queenstown, and skydiving in Abel Tasman. He expressed his enthusiasm for being 'back on the road again' after his major expedition in Africa. Reflecting on his past experiences, he mentioned that they have made him more aware of the risks he can take. He believes that personal growth often occurs in uncomfortable situations, saying, 'A lot of personal growth is done in those little uncomfortable spots. You're not totally 100% sure, but you go for it anyway, and you make it happen, and that's when you learn. ' During his previous challenge in Africa, Russ raised over £1 million for charity, despite facing various obstacles such as visa complications, health scares, and geopolitical issues. His journey in Africa began at the southernmost point of South Africa on April 22, 2023, and concluded more than 10,190 miles north in Tunisia. Russ has a strong desire to continue living adventurously for as long as his body allows. He stated, 'When I'm older, when the body's keeled over a bit, I expect I'll pick up where I left off.