![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MCTJTMTB7BD2BEN63KW776BBOI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=ea7f19471ea0606b66269f7b0131c6d058e9754e8279ba1acb7b5284e3b22e02&width=400&height=225)
After 352 days, Cook crosses the finish line
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KUAHXXLARNHOLEP5HH5ZPR2HRU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=7d890c94c6150cb810b93aac817603054bb580b749a1b5104d88db808fc6b0d5&width=400&height=225)
Russ Cook's run through Africa took him and his team far from the tourist trail. All photos: Jarred Karp Photography
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ADQCRIW36FBSBDLNQ5QHV5YYV4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=beb6cf8c08db73f33c84ca11bf92786b97f54c4e853e5c726449ba280e6196a4&width=400&height=225)
Cook's arrival in many countries sparked curiosity
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JVJW4DGNPBC5FG6BYFVPLUJVBA.jpeg?smart=true&auth=a3b0ff57d9884899527c76aea266dedbf9bc875b6f3ede4608767eca763c0296&width=400&height=225)
As the team travelled, they were met with friendly welcomes and often given gifts
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2M6VMRDZ7RHCLNZXTUMFDQBPAI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=a089aa543918ff87585d4a24ded8f6340ce1f33efbb6986d61c6cb7937928032&width=400&height=225)
The crew were often invited to stay in locals' homes
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZCAA6OJ4SVFGZFAZL5VG2AJGE4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=611b481bf645a78807767e5c221f8fbf86d4fdd8fe23fc8ee9a19e1d6acfc4fb&width=400&height=225)
Harry Gallimore from Cook's support team chats to police officers during the mission
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GS44XN3X5RFTRK5AJMY6SQW6XQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=fff967dedd2ecad0574e2776250dd754da84cbb6bd8b59716b010b6341b415b5&width=400&height=225)
Guss van Veen, right, who was part of the support crew, is all smiles with locals during the mission
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AYCMLSBP55DRFFA6SO4HDDS4CY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=61e02ba18d3c99c6cb3d804ce93656b5e7216023bfb2e7bb14fdcabc2dcc2702&width=400&height=225)
Stan Gaskell, left, was lead editor for Russ Cook's Project Africa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MCTJTMTB7BD2BEN63KW776BBOI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=ea7f19471ea0606b66269f7b0131c6d058e9754e8279ba1acb7b5284e3b22e02&width=400&height=225)
After 352 days, Cook crosses the finish line
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KUAHXXLARNHOLEP5HH5ZPR2HRU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=7d890c94c6150cb810b93aac817603054bb580b749a1b5104d88db808fc6b0d5&width=400&height=225)
Russ Cook's run through Africa took him and his team far from the tourist trail. All photos: Jarred Karp Photography
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ADQCRIW36FBSBDLNQ5QHV5YYV4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=beb6cf8c08db73f33c84ca11bf92786b97f54c4e853e5c726449ba280e6196a4&width=400&height=225)
Cook's arrival in many countries sparked curiosity
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JVJW4DGNPBC5FG6BYFVPLUJVBA.jpeg?smart=true&auth=a3b0ff57d9884899527c76aea266dedbf9bc875b6f3ede4608767eca763c0296&width=400&height=225)
As the team travelled, they were met with friendly welcomes and often given gifts
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2M6VMRDZ7RHCLNZXTUMFDQBPAI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=a089aa543918ff87585d4a24ded8f6340ce1f33efbb6986d61c6cb7937928032&width=400&height=225)
The crew were often invited to stay in locals' homes
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZCAA6OJ4SVFGZFAZL5VG2AJGE4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=611b481bf645a78807767e5c221f8fbf86d4fdd8fe23fc8ee9a19e1d6acfc4fb&width=400&height=225)
Harry Gallimore from Cook's support team chats to police officers during the mission
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GS44XN3X5RFTRK5AJMY6SQW6XQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=fff967dedd2ecad0574e2776250dd754da84cbb6bd8b59716b010b6341b415b5&width=400&height=225)
Guss van Veen, right, who was part of the support crew, is all smiles with locals during the mission
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AYCMLSBP55DRFFA6SO4HDDS4CY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=61e02ba18d3c99c6cb3d804ce93656b5e7216023bfb2e7bb14fdcabc2dcc2702&width=400&height=225)
Stan Gaskell, left, was lead editor for Russ Cook's Project Africa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MCTJTMTB7BD2BEN63KW776BBOI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=ea7f19471ea0606b66269f7b0131c6d058e9754e8279ba1acb7b5284e3b22e02&width=400&height=225)
After 352 days, Cook crosses the finish line
Travelling Africa alongside Russ Cook: 'I’d do the whole thing again'
Hardest Geezer's support crew member Jarred Karp shares behind-the-scenes stories from Project Africa
Florianne Humphrey
23 April, 2024
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic