Russell Cook’s bid to make history faces uncertainty as Algeria’s visa hitch threatens his ambitious journey

In a nail-biting twist to an extraordinary adventure, Russell Cook, a 26-year-old British man attempting to secure a spot in the record books by running the entire length of Africa, is on the verge of hitting a roadblock. Despite an awe-inspiring effort of running for 278 days and covering nearly 12,000km through 13 countries, the final leg of his ambitious 360-marathon mission faces an unexpected hurdle.

Cook embarked on his epic journey on 22 April 2023, with a goal to complete 360 marathons in 240 days, becoming the first person ever to run the length of Africa. However, a recent post on X reveals a ‘bit of a problem’ that could potentially shatter Cook’s dream.

As of 23 January, Russell Cook and his dedicated team find themselves entangled in a bureaucratic challenge – the inability to secure visas for Algeria. In a heartfelt plea on X, Cook acknowledged the critical nature of the situation, emphasizing that the success of ‘Project Africa’ hangs in the balance.

“I’ve raised over £140k for charity in my attempt to become the first person ever to run the entire length of Africa. But right now, all of that is totally hanging on whether we can get permission from Algeria to let us cross in through this border with Mauritania,” Cook shared.

Describing the route through Algeria as the ‘only option,’ Cook reached out to the people of Algeria, expressing a desire to visit their ‘beautiful country.’ He implored X users to share the plea, seeking assistance from the authorities.

In a show of support, X users rallied around Cook, tagging individuals who might aid in overcoming the visa hurdle and allowing him to reach Tunisia’s most northerly point. The proposed route, if approved, would take Cook through the formidable Sahara Desert, a challenging stretch known for its vastness, water scarcity, and scorching temperatures.

Cook acknowledged the difficulty of this segment, stating, “We have to cross from Mauritania to Algeria on foot, which as far as we can see from research, hasn’t been done by foreigners in a very long time.”

With the fate of Cook’s remarkable challenge now dependent on Algerian authorities, the online community waits with bated breath, hoping for a positive resolution that would allow this intrepid Brit to continue his historic run.