Russell cook overcomes visa hurdle, continues quest to run entire length of Africa

n a heartening turn of events, Russell Cook, the daring individual striving to achieve the unprecedented feat of running the entire length of Africa, has been granted approval to continue his remarkable journey. The British runner faced a significant setback recently when visa complications threatened to halt his mission, raising concerns among his followers.
Cook embarked on this extraordinary venture in April of the previous year, with the ambitious goal of completing 360 marathons in 240 days, covering the expansive and diverse terrain of the African continent. Despite encountering obstacles along the way, Cook has maintained momentum, keeping his supporters engaged through regular updates and posts documenting his unique expedition.
As of January 23, Cook had clocked an impressive 278 days on the road, covering nearly 12,000km and traversing through 13 different African countries. However, a recent post on social media hinted at a potential roadblock as visa issues loomed over his journey.
On platforms like X, Cook shared the hurdles he faced, specifically with obtaining visas for Algeria. Expressing the gravity of the situation, he stated, “If we don’t get them, then it’s game over for project Africa.” In an appeal to the residents of Algeria, Cook sought assistance with his request and urged followers to share the message.
In a dramatic turn of events, Cook shared a subsequent post, revealing that he had successfully secured permission to enter Algeria. Expressing gratitude to all involved, he conveyed his excitement about visiting the country. The breakthrough came after a tweet from the Embassy of Algeria in the UK, assuring a courtesy visa.
“Massive thank you to all involved. Can’t wait to visit Algeria,” wrote Cook on the social media platform.
During the Algerian leg of his historic journey, Cook anticipates traversing the challenging terrain of the Sahara Desert—a vast, waterless expanse notorious for its extreme heat. Describing it as a ‘difficult stretch to manoeuvre,’ Cook highlighted the unique challenge of crossing from Mauritania to Algeria on foot, a task seldom attempted by foreigners.
Relieved followers expressed their joy at the positive outcome, with one commenter wishing Cook well and describing Algeria as a “beautiful country.” As Cook sets his sights on the Sahara, his global supporters eagerly anticipate the next chapter of this extraordinary adventure.