Worthing man’s Africa trek resumes after Algeria visa issues

Russell Cook had run nearly 7,500 miles over 278 days of running, raising more than £150,000 in a bid to become the first person to run the entire length of the continent.

However, his mission to complete “Project Africa” was thrown into jeopardy after being unable to secure a visa to trek through Algeria.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office warns against travel to areas close to the Algerian-Mauritanian border, where Russell had planned to cross to continue his trek.

Travel advice warns of the presence of terror groups, including al-Qaeda and the possibility of attacks, including kidnappings. 

Russell, from Worthing, took to social media to appeal for help to secure a visa, urging Algerian officials to step in and help.

Tim Loughton, his local MP, also offered his support to try and resolve the situation.

However, the Algerian embassy in the UK told Russell he could submit a visa application from his current location, with their mission granting him a “courtesy visa on the spot”.

In a post on X, Russell, also known as “The Hardest Geezer”, thanked everyone involved in helping him and said: “Boys and girls, we did it. We’re going to Algeria, and the power of social media made it happen.

“There is still over 4,000km of running left to do but I’ll have a finish date for Project Africa ready to announce pretty soon. Daiquiris on the beach in sight.

“Thank you for everyone who supported, sent messages, went through their contacts for us.

“I also want to say a big thank you to everyone’s favourite people to dig out, our politicians. Labour and Conservative MPs [have] both been immensely helpful here.”

Mr Loughton congratulated Russell, wishing him luck on the rest of his journey.

In a post on X, the Conservative MP for East Worthing and Shoreham said: “See you back in Worthing.”

Donations to Russell’s fundraiser can be made by visiting https://givestar.io/gs/PROJECTAFRICA.

The 15,000km trek is just one of a long line of extraordinary challenges Russell has taken on.

In 2021, he was buried alive for a week with nothing but water and a camera to livestream to YouTube.

In 2020, he ran 26 miles along Worthing seafront with a 730kg Suzuki Alto attached to him, smashing the world record for the quickest marathon run while pulling a car by recording a time of nine hours and 56 minutes.