'Hardest Geezer' Russ Cook running to Germany to support England squad at Euro 2024

Sky News

Updated 11 June 2024 at 3:44 pm·2-min read

Charity fundraiser Russ Cook, nicknamed the "Hardest Geezer", has taken on another running challenge - this time to Germany to support England's Euro 2024 squad.

The 27-year-old set-off from Wembley Stadium in London on Tuesday in a bid to reach the city of Gelsenkirchen in western Germany by Sunday - in time to see the England men's football team in their opening fixture against Serbia.

After the 352-mile run, Mr Cook will run from city to city following Gareth Southgate and the England team throughout the tournament.

The second England game will see the team take on Denmark in Frankfurt, approximately 160 miles from Gelsenkirchen, on 20 June.

"I want to support the boys," Mr Cook said ahead of the run, adding: "This might be our year, I think we'll be going all the way.

"I believe in Southgate, I trust the boys, I'm looking forward to watching it all unfold."

Back in April, Mr Cook finished running the length of Africa after a gruelling challenge that took him across 16 countries in just under a year.

During the run - equivalent to 376 marathons - he raised more than £600,000 for two charities.

To reach Germany by the end of the week, Mr Cook is aiming to run between 60-80km each day and will be inviting those who spot him along the way to join in.

He said: "Maybe we'll get a few running along, joining for the ones and twos in between the games.

"It will be wicked, I'm looking forward to getting out there."

Mr Cook has been sponsored by Sports Direct and retro shirt brand Score Draw and will donate his sponsorship to The Running Charity - which supports young people who are homeless or have complex needs.

Mr Cook said he will be recording regular video updates to keep the public up to date with his progress.

The run to Germany marks the third running challenge Mr Cook has undergone. At 22, he ran from Asia to England, completing 71 marathons in 66 days.

Before that, he had only run the Brighton Marathon.

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