Inside Hardest Adventures: Russ Cook’s Bold New Mission to Make Extreme Challenges Accessible to All
Russ Cook is no stranger to adventure. Better known by his nickname, ‘Hardest Geezer’, the Worthing-born ultra-endurance runner shot to international stardom after traversing the entire length of Africa.
Over 352 days, he crossed 16 different countries, clocked 9,941 miles, and stomped through 30 pairs of trainers — raising huge sums for charity in the process.
In his latest bonkers quest, Cook completed Project New Zealand — a 1,864-mile run along parts of the Te Araroa Trail, spanning the length of the country.
It took him 73 days to finish, scaling mountains and navigating through dense forests, coastlines, and cities along the way.
He’s described himself as a “lad always chasing the next big adventure.”
Now, he’s offering others the chance to do the same with his new mission: Hardest Adventures. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Hardest Adventures?
Cook set up Hardest Adventures to take people from all walks of life on a once-in-a-lifetime trip — completely free of charge.
“Through overcoming challenging adventures I have learnt so much more about myself, the world and the people in it,” he said.
“None of that would have been possible without the support I have had along the way. Now, I want to pass that support on to as many people as possible.”
Cook is offering to cover the cost of travel, accommodation, basic administration, meals, and equipment for anyone who wants to get involved.
He’s also opened the programme up to those with no prior experience of extreme hikes or runs, pledging to knock them into shape with a training plan where necessary.
The first outing of Hardest Adventures saw the 28-year-old return to Africa with a group of thrill-seekers to climb Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro in January this year.
Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano, is Africa’s highest mountain and the tallest free-standing mountain above sea level in the world.
Aside from being a record-setting endurance runner, it turns out Cook is also a qualified mountain leader.
What’s Next for Hardest Adventures?
Cook hasn’t yet revealed what the sequel to Kilimanjaro will be, though he’s set the bar pretty high with the first expedition.
You can subscribe to updates on the latest trip via the Hardest Adventures website.
How is it Free?
Cook has come a long way since first tackling ultra-endurance challenges. He was eating up the miles long before Project Africa, but that was undoubtedly the mission that propelled him into the big leagues.
His most recent feat in New Zealand was sponsored by Huel and the country’s tourism board. The down-to-earth athlete has also built a huge online following, with 1.2 million Instagram followers and 271,000 YouTube subscribers following his every step.
All the action from Hardest Adventures will be filmed and turned into content for various socials — which, at a minimum, would presumably cover the cost of taking people on these life-altering experiences.
To find out more, head to Hardest Adventures online — and keep your eyes peeled for the next challenge.
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