Finish line reached in Tunis

Briton (27) jogged 16,000 kilometers across Africa

Russ Cook after crossing the finish line at Ras Angela in Tunis(Bild: AFP)

19 million steps in 16 countries - that's Russ Cook's impressive tally after almost a year of running across the African continent. On Sunday, the "ordinary guy" arrived at Africa's northernmost point in Tunisia. His message: "Realize your dreams!"

Cook started his run on April 22, 2023 at the southernmost point of Africa, Cape Agulhas in South Africa. His journey took him more than 16,000 kilometers to Tunisia.

Now family members and dozens of Tunisians gave him an enthusiastic welcome at Cape Ben Sakka.

Reminiscent of a famous movie scene from "Forrest Gump". Hundreds of people accompanied Russ on his way - at least in part ...(Bild: AFP)

Russ Cook after crossing the finish line at Ras Angela in Tunis(Bild: AFP)

550,000 pounds in donations raised
At the end of his project, he had walked 19 million steps in 16 countries. With his run, Cook collected more than 550,000 pounds (around 641,000 euros) in donations.

The end of the project was marked with a celebration in a hotel in Bizerte, Tunisia's northernmost city.

After 16,000 kilometers, the shaggy hero truly deserved a breather!(Bild: The Snapshot People LTD via AP)

"Toughest year of my life!"
 "Get your daiquiris ready, girls and boys, this is going to be mega," Cook had previously announced on the online service X. Last week, he described the past year as "the hardest of my life".

He said he had met "incredible people" in every country he visited, who "welcomed us with love and kindness".

With his run, he wanted to inspire other people to "follow their dreams a little more", the runner from Worthing in southern England explained at the start of his project.

"I'm just a normal guy, and if I can do that, then hopefully people can apply that to their own lives however they want."