Hardest Geezer completes relay run across Iceland

Russ Cook has completed a 607km relay run challenge across Iceland

A man who ran the entire length of Africa has completed a relay run challenge across Iceland.

Russ Cook, nicknamed Hardest Geezer, was one of seven runners to run a combined 377 miles (607km) along the country's northern coastline in two days.

"I've taken on some of the toughest solo running challenges, but Mission Iceland was something completely new for me," he said.

The 28-year-old, from Worthing, West Sussex, completed his previous endurance challenge of running the length of Africa in April last year after 352 days.

Russ Cook, nicknamed Hardest Geezer, was one of seven runners to take part in 247 Mission: Iceland

The challenge began in Hraunhafnartangi on Friday and ended in Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavík, with athletes individually running day and night.

Mr Cook said: "Being part of a team to complete some serious miles in such a harsh climate has been an incredible experience that really pushed me to run faster and harder than ever before."

The others in the relay challenge were William Goodge, who claimed to have broken the world record for running across the width of Australia, GB runner Alfie Manthorpe, Hercules Nicolaou, who ran across the Adriatic Coast and Hyrox athletes Jake Dearden and Lucy Davis.

They were led by George Heaton, the co-founder of fashion brand Represent, which organised the challenge.

Mr Heaton said: "Running over 600km in some of the most unforgiving terrain in the world is something that I knew would be hard, but definitely in reach.

"I wouldn't have been able to achieve this without running alongside the best team in the world, Team 247."

Russ Cook previously ran the entire length of Africa

Mr Cook raised more than £1m for charity during his previous challenge in Africa, despite complications with visas, health scares, geopolitical issues and an armed robbery.

The extreme challenge began at South Africa's most southerly point on 22 April 2023 and finished more than 10,190 miles (16,400km) north in Tunisia.