Row over 'Hardest Geezer' Russ Cook's 'record breaking' 10,000-mile African run as World Runners Association claim he's NOT the first to go the length of the continent (and was beaten by 14 YEARS)

Doubts have been raised over whether 'Hardest Geezer' Russ Cook can really claim to be the first person to ever run the full length of Africa. 

Cook, 27, celebrated as he completed his 10,100 miles from Cape Agulhas in South Africa to Ras Angela, Tunisia, in 352 days. 

He crossed 16 countries as he ran the equivalent of 385 marathons a day, and claimed to be the first person to ever run the length of the African continent, all while surviving machete-wielding bandits, food poisoning and even visa problems. 

But his claim has been thrown into question by a tiny international sporting body. 

Made up of just seven members, the World Runners Association (WRA) claimed that one of its founders actually deserved the title over Cook. 

The group said that Danish athlete Jesper Olsen achieved the feat in 2010, when he ran 7,949 miles from Taba in Egypt to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa in 434 days as part of an ultramarathon challenge that saw him run across the world. 

Cook said that his journey, which was from Africa's most southern to its most northern point, was 2,113 miles longer than Olsen's was, but the group was adamant that Olsen was the first person to achieve the feat. 

The WRA said that as the length of Africa 'is calculated at 8,000km [4,971 miles] as the crow flies', it does not matter that Cook's distance was longer.

President Phil Essam told the Telegraph: 'The WRA recognises Mr Jesper Kenn Olsen of Denmark as the first person to have run the full length of Africa.

'The World Runners Association therefore contests the claim made by British national Mr Russ Cook to be the first person to run the length of Africa.' 

Olsen himself tried to undermine Cook's efforts, telling the paper that other runners had completed similar lengths without taking breaks as Cook had. 

'[French runner] Serge Girard in his world run crossed five continents and completed his run without one single day off during the entire run. 

'To compare this with Russ Cook's run through Africa where there were several days off – I think, with all respect – is in itself a bit of a stretch, to compare a half-marathon with a full marathon.

'So for me it's not about putting attention on myself. But to put the right scale to things so recreational runners can get an idea of where the maximal limits are in ultra-running. And hopefully get inspired.'

Cook from Worthing, West Sussex, was embraced by loved ones and supporters as he crossed the finish line at Tunisia's most northerly point today.

He put his hands on his head in disbelief and flexed his muscles on top of a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea as he was surrounded by reporters and photographers.

After he crossed the finish line wearing a bucket hat and a retro England shirt, Cook walked to the sea and cooled off by taking a dip. 'I'm a bit tired. I'm a little bit tired,' he admitted as he stood topless in the water.

One man joked 'let's get you a strawberry daiquiri, Cook replied: 'Yeah, let's f*** off'.

The runner has often joked about having the frozen cocktail as a reward for his epic effort. Speaking to Sky News at the finish line, the endurance athlete said: 'I'm pretty tired.'

Delighted fans chanted 'Geezer, Geezer, Geezer', with one telling reporters: 'I just wanted to be part of it. It's a piece of history'. 

After starting today's last run from a petrol station in Ghezala, Tunisia, at 10am, he told Sky News: 'One more day, one final push to get this thing done.'

He said he had a 'few tears' this morning, adding: '352 days on the road is a long time without seeing family, my girlfriend. My body is in a lot of pain but I've only got one day, I'm not about to complain. We're going to have strawberry daiquiris on the beach tonight, it's going to be unreal.'

Cook has raised £685,000 for charity so far, with more than £250,000 donated over the last seven days as his loyal following spur him on.

The athlete, who is a self-described former 'fat lad' with alcohol and gambling issues, was introduced to long distance running when he entered a half marathon aged 21.

He originally hoped to achieve the mega distance in 240 days, but different obstacles have delayed his finish by around 100 days.