The Hardest Geezer Runs After The England Football Team at Euro 2024   

Just two months after becoming the first person to run the entire length of Africa, Russ Cook, known as The Hardest Geezer, has announced his next running challenge: he’s going to run to Germany to support the England football team at Euro 24.

Russ set off from Wembley Stadium on Tuesday 11 June at 3.30pm, and is running to Gelsenkirchen in time for England’s opening game against Serbia, which kicks off on Sunday 16 June at 9pm local time. 

He’ll then run after the team for as long as they’re in the tournament, and while Russ hasn’t worked out the full details of the run, we’ve had a look and have some stats below – and if England make the final, then Russ will run around 1,000 miles in the next five weeks!

“I am buzzing to be back on the road again,” Russ said. “It’s going to be a race against the clock, but I’m determined to support Gareth and the boys,” he said. “Running in Western Europe compared to running through Africa, with the difference in climate and all the challenges, should be a piece of cake.”

Russ, who wore an England football shirt for much of his run across Africa, as well as wearing a local football jersey in each new country, will be running to and around Germany in a series of England shirts. He’s being sponsored by Sports Direct and Score Draw, the retro shirt brand, who are together contributing a donation to The Running Charity, which supports young people who are homeless or have complex needs. Russ has already raised over £1m for the charity, and now hopes to add even more to that. You can make a donation here.

HOW FAR WILL THE HARDEST GEEZER HAVE TO RUN AROUND GERMANY?

Game 1 | England vs Serbia in Gelsenkirchen
Date: Sunday 16 June. 9pm.
Route: London to Gelsenkirchen
Distance: ~250 miles
Time: 120 hours 
This involves running from Wembley to Harwich in Essex (85-90 miles), then a ferry to the Hook of Holland, and then running to Gelsenkirchen, in the west of Germany (150-160 miles). 

Game 2 | England vs Denmark in Frankfurt
Date: Thursday 20 June. 6pm.
Route: Gelsenkirchen to Frankfurt
Distance: ~150 miles
Time: 90 hours

Game 3 | England vs Slovenia in Cologne
Date: Tuesday 25 June. 9pm.
Route: Frankfurt to Cologne
Distance: ~120 miles
Time: 120 hours

Knock-out stages
If England get through the group stage then Russ’s run will continue as follows… 

If England win their group:
Group Round: 520 miles
Cologne to Gelsenkirchen: 50 miles 
Gelsenkirchen to Dusseldorf: 50 miles 
Dusseldorf to Dortmund: 60 miles 
Dortmund to Berlin: 290 miles 
Tournament Total: Approx. 970 miles

If England come second in their group:
Group Round: 520 miles
Cologne to Dortmund: 60 miles 
Dortmund to Stuttgart: 240 miles
Stuttgart to Munich: 130 miles 
Munich to Berlin: 350 miles 
Tournament Total: Approx. 1,300 miles

All distances are approximate, based on the most common routes according to Strava and google.

You can follow The Hardest Geezer’s Instagram page for all the latest updates.