Teenager's 'best day' with The Hardest Geezer

Marcus ran his final mile with Russ Cook at Green Park near Buckingham Palace

A teenager who finished a charity run with a man who ran the length of Africa says it was the "best day of my life".

Marcus, 16, ran a mile a day in April for mental health charity Mind. He was joined by Russ Cook for his final leg on Tuesday.

Mr Cook, otherwise known as The Hardest Geezer, ran side-by-side with Marcus at Green Park near Buckingham Palace.

Avid Hull City supporter Marcus is known online as The Hull Boy and has more than 10,000 followers on YouTube and X.

Mr Cook stayed for a meal with Marcus and his parents after the run

Mr Cook got in touch with Marcus, who lives in Malton, North Yorkshire, with his parents, after seeing his daily updates on X.

Running in memory of a friend lost to suicide, Marcus previously completed running challenges for Alzheimer's Society, in honour of his father who has dementia.

After the run, Mr Cook joined Marcus and his parents for a meal, during which the pair agreed to run a marathon in October.

'Bit shell-shocked'

Marcus said: "It was the best day of my life. What a guy Russ is. Yesterday was such a strange day, I'm a bit shell-shocked."

He added he was now "cracking on" with training for the marathon, which they hope to run in Yorkshire.

His goal is to now run 5,000 steps a day, which is around two miles (3.2km).

Marcus said: "Russ is doing his thing and I'm doing mine, but we are keeping in touch and training together soon.

"He said don't give up and the hardest thing is getting up and going out the door."

Replying to Marcus' on X, Mr Cook said: "Just the beginning for @Thehullboy1, congratulations on getting it done mate. The journey to a marathon starts here!"

Marcus' mother, Jayne, said: "Russ is the most down-to-earth, amazing person. He stayed the whole afternoon with us after the run and gave Marcus advice.

"It wasn't just a run, it was a friendship as well."