Russ Cook, a 27-year-old adventurer from Worthing, West Sussex, known as the "Hardest Geezer," is preparing for his next monumental challenge: running the length of New Zealand. Following his remarkable feat of traversing the African continent, which raised over £1 million for charity, Cook is now gearing up to tackle the 1,864-mile (3,000 km) Te Araroa Trail in just ten weeks. This new endeavor will see Cook complete 60 ultramarathons, navigating through diverse terrains of mountains, forests, coastlines, and cities.
Cook's previous challenge in Africa was fraught with significant hurdles, including visa issues, health scares, geopolitical tensions, and even an armed robbery. Despite these challenges, he completed the journey in 352 days. Originally, he planned to finish the equivalent of 360 marathons in 240 days but extended the timeline due to unforeseen complications. Reflecting on his recovery, Cook noted:
"After a big challenge, it took some time for the body to get back to reality. But I'm feeling fresh and ready for the next one." – Russ Cook
The upcoming New Zealand adventure promises its own set of challenges and thrills. Cook aims to ascend a total of 300,000 feet (91,440 meters) throughout the journey, which he expects will be one of the most demanding aspects. Alongside the rigorous run, he will partake in a series of extreme activities such as bungee jumping off Auckland Harbour Bridge, canyon swinging in Queenstown, and skydiving in Abel Tasman.
Cook attributes his resilience and recovery to what he affectionately describes as a "lovely British diet."
"Luckily a lovely British diet of sausage rolls and roast dinner really sorted me out." – Russ Cook
As he prepares to embark on this new journey, Cook expresses enthusiasm and readiness for what lies ahead.
"It's going to be a spicy one." – Russ Cook
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