'Hardest Geezer' Russ Cook's Next Appearance Odds: Brit Expected In Brighton
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Russ Cook, who is best known as the "Hardest Geezer", has become a media sensation this week after completing his epic 352-day run across the whole length of Africa.
The Brit ran more than 10,000 miles - over 16,000km - during his incredible challenge, overcoming a kidnapping, being robbed at gunpoint, visa issues, and several health setbacks along the way, before crossing the finish line in Tunisia on Sunday.
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Russ now believes he is the first person to ever run the entire length of the continent, and he has been discussing his achievement on numerous shows this week, including ITV's Good Morning Britain.
On Tuesday morning, Russ revealed he will be back in the UK soon, and it has led to speculation on betting sites about where he might appear next.
He wrote on X: "Ran africa. Was proper hard. Got it done. Strawberry daiquiri secured.
Gave my beautiful girlfriend a big kiss. Went absolutely potty to @softplayband at the afters. Back in the UK later (sic)"
Hardest Geezer Set For Seagulls Stadium?
The 27-year-old geezer is a fan of Brighton & Hove Albion FC, so it wouldn't be a big surprise to see him appear on the pitch before their next home game.
The Seagulls' next match at the Amex Stadium will see them take on reigning Premier League Champions Manchester City on April 25, and it's just 4/6 on specials betting sites that Russ makes an appearance at some point.
That could be before the game, or the Hardest Geezer could even take a run around the pitch at half-time - if he hasn't had enough of running for a while.
Russ could even go one better and play in a football match soon. He is just 3/1 to take part in upcoming celebrity football match Soccer Aid for UNICEF, which takes place on June 9th at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium.
The game sees celebrities - including Sir Mo Farah and Usain Bolt - and former pro footballers take part in an England XI vs World XI charity match.
What's more, he is 6/4 to appear on a podcast, and a show like Jake Humphrey's High Performance Podcast - which aims to turn the lived experiences of the planet’s high performers into listener life lessons - could be the perfect fit.
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Russ Runs Into Feud
It is 3/1 on betting apps that Russ takes part in a celebrity boxing match next, and he could already have an opponent.
After Russ crossed the finish line on Sunday, he wrote on X: "The first person ever to run the entire length of Africa. Mission complete."
However, the star's claim has been contested by a Danish man, who believes he was the first person to run the length of Africa - 14 years ago.
Jesper Kenn Olsen, 52, who is a member of the World Runners Association (WRA), ran from Taba, Egypt to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa between 2008 and 2010.
While Jesper didn't do as many miles as Russ, despite still managing nearly 13,000km (7,948 miles) over 434 days, he has insisted the Hardest Geezer needs to "get the facts correct" about his claims.
He said: "For me, it's not so much about whether I'm the first or second or what have you, because obviously, for us, the main thing is the runs around the world.
"It's much more important that you keep the honour than whether you are number one, two or three. However, as far as I understand, he's definitely the fastest."
Could Russ and Jesper meet in a celebrity boxing match to settle the debate?
It looks unlikely, particularly as Jesper has praised Russ' "incredible achievement", but if Russ wants to keep his feet on the ground for his next appearance then heading into the ring for a celebrity bout is a possibility.
The Hardest Geezer could even rub shoulders with some celebrities away from a boxing ring if he appears on the next series of either Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins (6/1), I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! (8/1), or Celebrity Gladiators (10/1).
Hardest Geezer's Next Challenge?
When Russ is all media-ed out following his Project Africa success, he might start planning his next challenge.
It is just 1/2 on new betting sites that he runs the length of another continent - Asia, Antarctica, Oceania, North America, South America, or Europe - after completing Africa.
If he opts for North America, then the Hardest Geezer could take on The Forrest Gump Challenge (Evens).
Named after the main character in the iconic 1994 movie, in which Tom Hanks portrayed Forrest, the challenge is to run from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean.
In the movie, Forrest starts running and doesn't stop, heading to the Pacific Ocean, before running the other way until he reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
It's just over 3,000 miles from one coast to another, which sounds very much doable for the Hardest Geezer, or he could take part in the 26.2 mile London Marathon on April 21.
But an even bigger effort would be if Russ was to run the so-called Longest Walk on Earth.
The epic 14,334-mile journey, from Cape Town, South Africa, to Magadan in north-east Russia, would take someone through deserts and several warzones.
No one is believed to have completed it - not even Jesper Kenn Olsen this time - which could be music to Russ' ears, but the thought of travelling through multiple warzones may not be.
Perhaps the Hardest Geezer will decide on his next epic challenge while he is running around the Amex Stadium later this month.
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
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