Having to be separated from his team during certain parts of the journey - evening getting a police escort through Angola - Russ experienced just about every bump you can think of: Armed robbery, food poisoning, a back injury, sandstorms, you name it. And beyond the sense of pride and accomplishment he must feel, The Hardest Geezer was not just running for the sake of it. His efforts have helped raise more than R20-million, at the time of writing, for two charities. Sandblast is “dedicated to building awareness and solidarity for the indigenous Saharawis of Western Sahara” and The Running Charity, in the UK, uses the sport of running as a tool in their programme for young homeless people.
He’s not the only person to leave the Cape on a mission to run across the continent in the last year. They’re on a shorter journey, around 11 000 km, from Cape to Cairo and are attempting to break the world record of 318 days set by Nicholas Bourne in 1998. Keith Boyd, The Rainbow Runner, is trying to inspire young people to get more involved and use the power of their vote. Frtiz, whose only companion is his brother on a bicycle towing everything they have to survive, including camping gear, is garnering support for an initiative bringing access to water in communities on the continent.
Unfortunately Fritz had to abandon the attempt after an injury but recently began his second attempt and while The Rainbow Runner will most likely finish before - he’s already passed the 9 000 km mark and is making his way through Egypt - if he breaks the record Fritz will just have a new target to reach.
The ultimate individual test with good causes as motivation. What a good thing to imagine doing.
Sources: The Guardian | SA Good News | Guinness Book of World Records | Sky News
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