‘Day one of running the entire length of New Zealand! They will never stop me! Boys and girls, New Zealand, fire up!’

 

Russ Cook AKA the Hardest Geezer became a certified legend in 2024 when he ran over 16,000km along the length of Africa, becoming the first person to ever do so. 

Less than 12 months later, he’s back on our phone screens with his next grand running challenge – 3000km along the Te Araroa track in Aotearoa/New Zealand. 

Read more: What I Learned Hiking Along the Length of New Zealand on the Te Araroa Trail

 

 

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A post shared by Russ Cook (@hardestgeezer)

 

Although the distance is significantly reduced, the terrain and weather will throw all new curve balls at the Geezer, as he traverses the country’s premier thru-hike which includes many of Aotearoa/New Zealand’s Great Walks. 

Another major difference this time round is that Cook’s run is completely sponsored by 100% Pure New Zealand. We all know NZ cranks out some very clever tourism ads, but this is probably the most ingenious marketing campaign I’ve ever seen. 

 

 

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A post shared by Russ Cook (@hardestgeezer)

Cook started his run this week at the southern trailhead with a chill 50km straight off the bat and if he keeps up this rate, he’ll be up at Cape Reinga by mid-May. Most Te Araroa walkers spend around four months on the trail. The FKT for a supported route of the Te Araroa was broken in February 2025 by ultrarunner, Karel Sabbe who finished in 31 days, 19 hours, and 40 minutes.

Cook keeps his 1.2 million Instagram followers up to date on his run with almost daily reels and his iconic screaming down the lens. Good luck not getting pumped up for a run around Aotearoa after watching this. 

Cook’s other accomplishments include running from Istanbul, Turkey across Europe to his home of Worthing, England in 68 days without a support team in 2019. He holds the world record for being the fastest person to pull a car while running a marathon, which he did in 9 hours and 56 minutes in 2020. In 2021, he was buried alive for seven days with only 20L of water and a ventilation tube, an event that was livestreamed.

Follow Cook’s journey on Instagram @hardestgeezer and Strava.

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