British man running length of Africa hits Algerian visa issue

A British man’s attempt to be the first person ever to run the length of Africa has hit a potential roadblock as he struggles to obtain an Algerian entry visa.

Russell Cook from West Sussex in England is currently running through Senegal in West Africa, and so far has crossed 13 countries and nearly 12,000km.

If he completes the challenge, the 26-year-old will be the first person ever to run the entire length of Africa.

In a post on X on Tuesday – day 278 of the run – Cook told his followers from Senegal that the team was struggling to get permission to enter Algeria through the Mauritania border from the relevant authorities.

"We have a bit of a problem; we haven’t been able to get visas for Algeria, and if we don’t get them, then it’s game over for project Africa."

Cook began his run in South Africa last April, and  has since crossed Namibia, Angola, and Nigeria, among other countries.

Despite being warned of possible threats from rebel groups, wild animals and scorching temperatures, it is visa issues that are putting completion of the ultra-marathon challenge in jeopardy, Cook said.

"It is all hanging in the balance, to be honest, on whether Algeria will give us permission to cross this border with Mauritania.

"It is the only option we got, there is no other way for us to get to the northern most tip of Africa."

Day 278 of running the entire length of Africa. Need your support now more than ever on this one. Appreciate you all🫡 pic.twitter.com/AvQGt1Noi7

— Russ Cook (@hardestgeezer) January 23, 2024

"Algeria, if you’re listening, please reach out to me," he added, tagging the accounts of the Algerian presidency and Algeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The post has been viewed nearly two million times. It has conjured thousands of likes and reposts, as well as messages of support from far and wide.

British politician Tim Loughton, Cook's local MP, responded to the post to say that he would do "what we can" to get the issue rectified by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Algerian Embassy.

Last June, Cook and his team hit a barrier when their cameras, phones, passports and cash were stolen in an armed robbery in Angola.

But the incident did not deter him. He told BBC at the time that while it was stressful, "there is always light at the end of the tunnel".

#ProjectAfrica Day 267-271

Total raised for charity: £131,898

Day 267: 50km
Day 268: 50km
Day 269: 50km
Day 270: 50km
Day 271: 50km

Hitting the Senegalese border today, marking the 13th country of the mission so far🇿🇦 🇳🇦 🇦🇴 🇨🇩🇨🇬🇨🇲🇳🇬🇧🇯🇹🇬🇬🇭🇨🇮🇬🇳🇬🇳🇸🇳

3 more to go after this🇲🇷🇩🇿🇹🇳… pic.twitter.com/SSAvQJLqug

— Russ Cook (@hardestgeezer) January 17, 2024

Cook, who goes by the nickname ‘Hardest Geezer’ online, hopes to finish in Tunisia, having crossed 16 borders through deserts, cities and jungles.

He has raised £144,492 for The Running Charity, a British charity which supports young people experiencing homelessness through the power of running.