He is now running to every England game in Germany after setting off from Wembley Stadium a fortnight ago
ENGLAND’S self-styled Hardest Geezer issued a rallying cry to the Three Lions stars while he jogged to tonight’s match: “Keep going boys and you’ll reach the finish line.”
Russ Cook, 27, made history by completing the equivalent of 377 marathons in Africa as he ran 9,891 miles from Cape Town to Tunisia over 352 days.
England’s self-proclaimed Hardest Geezer rallied the Three Lions stars while running to today's match, saying: 'Keep going, boys, and you’ll reach the finish line' Credit: Paul Edwards
He is now running to every England game in Germany after setting off from Wembley Stadium a fortnight ago.
As he headed to Cologne for tonight’s final group game against Slovenia, the long-distance specialist took a brief rest to give skipper Harry Kane and co a lift after their painful draw against Denmark.
Russ, who was joined by Sun mascot Harry Mane when he set off, said: “Tournament football is tough.
“It’s a long hard slog, just like an ultra marathon, and you’ve got to stay focused. The team have got to keep putting one foot in front of the other and just keep going.
“They can make it. We’ve got the stamina and dedication — we can win the Euros. Come on England!”
Former boozer and gambler Russ, who once dubbed himself the hardest geezer in his home town of Worthing, Sussex, turned his life around at 19 after a pal challenged him to run the Brighton Half Marathon.
He said: “I was in a bad place, I was unfit and drinking and blowing money in the bookies, so I agreed.
“Through training, I learnt the values of running and discipline and self-belief, which empowered me, and I applied it to other things in life.”
After completing a series of endurance challenges, he set himself the ultimate test — running the length of Africa. He completed it in April, taking 19million steps in 20 pairs of trainers to cross 16 countries.
He battled injuries, food poisoning, extreme heat, a kidnapping and robbery to become the first to do it.
His magnificent efforts raised £1million for charities which help the homeless and refugees.
The huge red beard and ponytail he grew during the trek earned him the nickname “Africa’s Forrest Gump”, in a nod to the Tom Hanks movie.
Brighton fan Russ was looking forward to watching the Euros on TV until he was offered the chance of going to games — by running to them.
Russ, sponsored on the run by Sports Direct, said: “I ran from Wembley Stadium to Harwich, got the ferry over to the Netherlands, then ran from the Hook of Holland to Gelsenkirchen for the first game.
“Then I went from there to Frankfurt and now to Cologne.”
England are top of their group with four points and are almost guaranteed a place in the knockout stage.
But it feels as if the team has hit the wall early. Critics such as Gary Lineker blasted their display in the 1-1 draw against Denmark and a row blew up between players and ex-internationals working as TV pundits.
But Russ is confident England can keep going and cross the finishing line first. He said: “I'm fine with how things have gone. We’ve got four points from two games, we’re top of the group.”
And he is hoping he is still running when the final takes place in Berlin on July 14.
ENGLAND fans arriving in Cologne were relieved last night after brewery bosses rushed in extra beer supplies. A crisis was feared after Scotland fans drank bars dry. Back home, up to 25 million pints will be downed today in pubs and homes.
Stay Updated on EURO 2024 News with 7M: www.7msport.com/2024/
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Group E despite all 4 teams finishing on 4 points Euro 2024 last 16 team Two red cards, disallowed goal, disallowed penalty... Panama 2-1 USA was CHAOS No Euros games for the first time in 13 days That’s a wrap on the Euro 2024 group stage Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s idol growing up was Cristiano Ronaldo. You? Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will...
PHIL FODEN and his partner Rebecca Cooke have welcomed their third child.Rebecca, 22, has given birth to a baby boy with Foden by her side after his temporary departure from the England camp.Foden, 24, jetted home to the UK from Germany on Wednesday in order to be with Rebecca for the birth.The FA explained he had left the camp over a "pressing family matter" later revealed to be the birth of his ...
Phil Foden is in contention to play in England's Euro 2024 round-of-16 clash against Slovakia in Germany on Sunday by returning to training on Friday, a source has told ESPN.Foden returned to England on Wednesday to attend the birth of his third child, having played in the 0-0 draw against Slovenia in Cologne that secured top spot in Group C for Gareth Southgate's team.The Manchester City forward ...
DESPITE the money and fame, family man Phil Foden keeps his feet firmly on the ground.The 24-year-old shows maturity beyond his years with the ball at his feet and off the pitch.Phil Foden has left the England camp to return home for the birth of his third child Credit: Sophie Eleanor Photography / Go PR & EventsFoden is a family man Credit: Sophie Eleanor Photography / Go PR & EventsFoden...
Kieran Trippier's wife has set tongues wagging with a cryptic Instagram story.Despite Gareth Southgate and the FA's desire to keep personal matters private until after Euro 2024, it appears there might be potential off-field troubles amidst all. Trippier, 33, who started at left-back in England's first three Euros games, may come under this spotlight.His wife, Charlotte, shared a rather ambiguous ...
Gareth Southgate told England fans to stick with the team whatever they think of him as the under-fire boss warned that the “unusual environment” at Euro 2024 is making life harder for the players.Having wrapped up a place in the last 16 without kicking a ball on Monday evening, the Group C finale against Slovenia offered the chance to lift the mood after an unconvincing start in Germa...
Marcel Sabitzer struck a later winner as Austria claimed a stunning 3-2 win over the Netherlands to snatch top spot in Euro 2024 Group D on Tuesday.Ralf Rangnick’s well-organised side were twice pegged back in an entertaining contest in Berlin but Sabitzer had the final say 10 minutes from time.A Donyell Malen own goal gave Austria an early lead with Romano Schmid putting them back in front ...
Germany were embarrassed at the 2022 World Cup when the football giants failed to even make it past the group stage.The Euro 2024 hosts are looking to make much more of an impact on home soil this summer and so far, so good - with a 5-1 hammering of Scotland and comfortable 2-0 win over Hungary ahead of their last game in Group A against Switzerland today (Sunday, June 23). But after their pitiful...
SLOVAKIA'S Euro 2024 stars hope to be inspired to victory over England by working with a former beauty queen.Francesco Calzona's side set up a last-16 clash with the Three Lions on Sunday by finishing third in Group E.And Falcons players will conduct interviews with ex-Miss Slovakia contender Simona Leskovska ahead of the game in Gelsenkirchen.Brunette Simona has worked with her home country's FA ...
LAURA WOODS has been reunited with her partner Adam Collard after nearly a fortnight away from home.The veteran sports presenter has been helping head up ITV's coverage of Euro 2024 in Germany.Woods and Collard, 36 and 28 respectively, have been smitten ever since they got together last September.And they enjoyed an emotional reunion on Thursday after Woods briefly jetted home from the tournament....
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Euro 2024 presenter stuns in tiny blue and white bikini on boat trip
- 3 Kylian Mbappe remains on bench as France and the Netherlands draw in Leipzig
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Scotland knocked out of Euro 2024 after last-gasp defeat to Hungary
- 6 Premier League manager’s model daughter relaxes on beach in Ibiza
- 7 Mask 'complicated' for Mbappe - coach
- 8 Marcel Sabitzer sinks Netherlands and takes Austria to the top of Group D
- 9 Patrik Schick breaks Czech Republic scoring record in Euros draw with Georgia
- 10 Belgian WAGs fume about their set 'cuddle time' by the boss at Euro 2024