- Rishi Sunak welcomed Mr Cook to Downing Street before they set off outside
- Wellwishers stopped to congratulate Mr Cook for his 10,000-mile Africa run
Breathless Rishi Sunak went for a morning run with 'Hardest Geezer' Russ Cook - and it was his new training partner who was the one stopped in the street by fans along the way.
The Prime Minister welcomed to Downing Street the 27-year-old from Worthing, West Sussex, who recently ran the entire length of Africa.
Mr Cook then completed the London Marathon last Sunday, just two weeks after finishing his epic 10,000-mile African endurance test.
And he appeared more comfortable with today's outing, in comparison to Mr Sunak who sounded a little short of breath at times while keeping up conversation.
The Prime Minister shared a five-minute video of their encounter - which also included his admission he took up running to impress future wife Akshata Murthy.
![Russ Cook, left, went for a morning jog with Prime Minister Rushi Sunak in London today](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/84088463-13350133-image-a-14_1714060247433.jpg)
Russ Cook, left, went for a morning jog with Prime Minister Rushi Sunak in London today
![Mr Cook - dubbed the 'Hardest Geezer' - took a selfie of the pair outside 10 Downing Street after they had completed their run](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/84088459-13350133-image-a-13_1714060238347.jpg)
Mr Cook - dubbed the 'Hardest Geezer' - took a selfie of the pair outside 10 Downing Street after they had completed their run
![A passer-by stopped to congratulate Russ Cook, as Mr Sunak stood on, telling the 'Hardest Geezer': 'So inspiring - well done'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/17/84092475-13350133-image-a-37_1714062407484.jpg)
A passer-by stopped to congratulate Russ Cook, as Mr Sunak stood on, telling the 'Hardest Geezer': 'So inspiring - well done'
Mr Cook looked to be barely breaking a sweat as he waved to crowds last Sunday and completed the 26.2-mile course in four hours, 25 minutes and 40 seconds.
That day say him waving to crowds along the route - and there were similar scenes of celebration from onlookers today, for him at least.
Mr Sunak accompanied his social media post about their joint run with the message: 'Only a few thousand miles to go... My morning run with, congrats on Project Africa hitting £1 million.'
He also shared a link to Mr Cook's fundraising page, which has attracted donations of more than £1million in aid of the Running Charity and Sandblast, which build awareness and solidarity for Western Sahara's indigenous Saharawis.
Mr Cook's journey across African took him from the continent's most southern point, Cape Agulhas in South Africa before crossing the finish line in Ras Angela, Tunisia, on April 7.
He was robbed at gunpoint, held hostage and almost forced to stop the challenge after being left visaless at the Mauritanian border in the 352-adventure which was the equivalent of running 385 marathons.
Today's conditions around Whitehall and The Mall beside Buckingham Palace, as well as through St James's Park and Green Park, were more benign.
As the pair set off, Mr Sunak is heard saying: 'I got into running properly at graduate school and I took up running because my wife was a big runner and we were together at the time.'
Mr Cook responded by laughing and asking: 'You were trying to impress her?'
![The duo were seeing running through St James's Park and Green Park in the five-minute clip shared by Mr Sunak on X, formerly Twitter](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/84088473-13350133-image-a-16_1714060305932.jpg)
The duo were seeing running through St James's Park and Green Park in the five-minute clip shared by Mr Sunak on X, formerly Twitter
![There were cheers of approval from passers-by as Mr Cook and Mr Sunak went by](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/84088475-13350133-image-a-15_1714060301611.jpg)
There were cheers of approval from passers-by as Mr Cook and Mr Sunak went by
![Mr Cook acknowledged wellwishers who were congratulating him on his fundraising efforts](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/84088469-13350133-image-a-17_1714060311800.jpg)
Mr Cook acknowledged wellwishers who were congratulating him on his fundraising efforts
![They discussed during the jog what had first got both of them into running as a hobby](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/84088457-13350133-image-a-18_1714060317909.jpg)
They discussed during the jog what had first got both of them into running as a hobby
![Mr Sunak admitted he took up running to try to impress his future wife Akshata Murthy](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/84088461-13350133-image-a-19_1714060321494.jpg)
Mr Sunak admitted he took up running to try to impress his future wife Akshata Murthy
![One of the wellwishers en route embraced Mr Cook and patted him on the back](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/17/84092477-13350133-image-a-38_1714062462424.jpg)
One of the wellwishers en route embraced Mr Cook and patted him on the back
It has been revealed before that Mr Sunak got into running when living in California studying at Stanford University which is where he met Akshata.
The Prime Minister also asked his new running partner what prompted him to take up the hobby.
Mr Cook told him: 'For me it was a bit of a different one. I was struggling quite a lot in my teenage years – I was overweight, had a bit of a gambling problem, was drinking quite a lot.
‘And then, I was in a nightclub in Brighton one evening and just decided I’d had enough and I ran home to Worthing, about 11 miles.'
At that point bystanders sent up whoops of approval which seemed aimed towards Mr Cook while he was also offered appreciative raises of people's hands en route.
They ended back at 10 Downing Street, where Mr Cook took of selfie of the pair outside the famous front door - having commented on having seen Mr Sunak deliver outdoor speeches in the street.
During the run in which they were accompanied by security staff also jogging along behind, the Prime Minister told Mr Cook his story was 'incredibly inspiring'.
He added: 'You talking to people about the benefits of strong family relationships, finding work that you have purpose and fulfilment, getting out and about and exercising - all those things contribute to good, positive mental health.
'People hearing that from someone like you and seeing that you were able to overcome all the challenges that you did and look at you know - if everyone just hears that, that's going to do more good than government policies.'
![The duo ended up back at Downing Street where they continued talking before shaking hands](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/84088453-13350133-image-a-21_1714060330190.jpg)
The duo ended up back at Downing Street where they continued talking before shaking hands
![Mr Sunak congratulated Mr Cook on his Africa run, calling his story 'incredibly inspiring'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/84088465-13350133-image-a-20_1714060327443.jpg)
Mr Sunak congratulated Mr Cook on his Africa run, calling his story 'incredibly inspiring'
![Russ Cook is pictured crossing the finish line at Ras Angela, Tunisia's most northerly point, on April 7 to complete his run the length of Africa](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/83588561-13350133-Russ_Cook_nicknamed_Hardest_Geezer_crossing_the_finish_line_at_R-a-4_1714058863781.jpg)
Russ Cook is pictured crossing the finish line at Ras Angela, Tunisia's most northerly point, on April 7 to complete his run the length of Africa
![Russ completed his 10,000-mile odyssey from South Africa to Tunisia on April 7. Russ is pictured in Mateur as he made his way to the finish line in Tunisia](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/83588307-13350133-Russ_completed_his_10_000_mile_odyssey_from_South_Africa_to_Tuni-a-5_1714058903437.jpg)
Russ completed his 10,000-mile odyssey from South Africa to Tunisia on April 7. Russ is pictured in Mateur as he made his way to the finish line in Tunisia
![Russ Cook, 27, finished the London Marathon on April 21 in four hours, 25 minutes, and 40 seconds - just two weeks after completing his Africa adventure](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/83912105-13350133-Russ_Cook_27_finished_the_London_Marathon_in_four_hours_25_minut-a-6_1714058916778.jpg)
Russ Cook, 27, finished the London Marathon on April 21 in four hours, 25 minutes, and 40 seconds - just two weeks after completing his Africa adventure
That exchange is followed in the video by another passer-by stopping to congratulate Mr Cook - embracing him, patting him on the back and saying: 'So inspiring, well done.'
Mr Sunak received a mixture of mockery and praise in response to sharing the video on social media.
Commenters joked 'Definitely time for you to jog on' and 'Well done, this is the first time I've ever seen you run something succesfully.'
But another posted: 'Credit where credit is due, that was genuinely decent and felt like we got to see a bit of the real Rishi.
'And respect for anyone keeping up with the Hardest Geeza on a run, while having a convo too!'
The PM was said by someone else to have 'handled that run quite well'.
Mr Sunak has spoken before about his personal fitness regime.
Back when he was chancellor, Rishi revealed that he started his days with a 6am Peloton session to Britney Spears songs.
Mr Sunak's favourite exercise instructor is Cody Rigsby, 36, a professional dancer from New York who describes himself as an 'opinionated homosexual' to his 1.3million Instagram followers.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/84088303-13350133-image-a-12_1714059375782.jpg)
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/84088301-13350133-image-a-11_1714059370010.jpg)
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/84088297-13350133-image-a-9_1714059359194.jpg)
![Rishi Sunak received a mixture of mockery and praise in response to his 'Hardest Geezer' video](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/84088299-13350133-image-a-10_1714059364405.jpg)
Rishi Sunak received a mixture of mockery and praise in response to his 'Hardest Geezer' video
![Rishi Sunak pictured ahead of the Northallerton 10k race in his constituency last May](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/71499701-13350133-Rishi_Sunak_pictured_ahead_of_the_Northallerton_10k_race_in_his_-a-7_1714059273085.jpg)
Rishi Sunak pictured ahead of the Northallerton 10k race in his constituency last May
![Nick Dent (centre) joked he 'beat' the Prime Minister (right) with a time of 47 minutes and 46 seconds in the 10k Northallerton run that day](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/71503961-13350133-Nick_Dent_centre_joked_he_beat_the_Prime_Minister_right_with_a_t-a-8_1714059298276.jpg)
Nick Dent (centre) joked he 'beat' the Prime Minister (right) with a time of 47 minutes and 46 seconds in the 10k Northallerton run that day
The Prime Minister got his £1,750 Peloton, which requires a monthly membership, in 2021 - at a time when when sales of the modern stationary bike boomed by 172 per cent during lockdown.
He has also spoken of mixing up his workouts with treadmill runs or high intensity interval training sessions at a community leisure centre in his constituency of Richmond, North Yorkshire.
Last May, he was snapped posing with a jogger after taking part in a 10km fun run in the North Yorkshire town of Northallerton.
'Avid parkrunner' Nick Dent, who shared the photo on X, captioned it with the words: 'A tough Northallerton 10K but really pleased with a chip time of about 47:46 on an undulating course ~ and I also beat this guy…'
Mr Sunak had said beforehand: 'I haven't done any exercise in a long time, I've been a little bit busy, but I'm going to try and do it in under an hour.'
One of his predecessors as prime minister, Boris Johnson, was often seen going for a morning jog during his time in Downing Street.
On one occasion in October 2021 he was seen running in a suit shirt and shorts with black socks after appearing to have forgotten his sports kit.
Days later he was filmed running just a few yards to his hotel after getting out of his car while attending the Conservative Party conference in Manchester.
In March last year he revealed he had been called a 'w***er' by a stranger as he ran through a London park - but claimed he was happy about it.
![Boris Johnson was photographed running near the Tory conference venue in Manchester in October 2021 in a suit shirt and shorts with black socks.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/48698915-13350133-Boris_Johnson_was_photographed_running_near_the_Tory_conference_-a-1_1714058787692.jpg)
Boris Johnson was photographed running near the Tory conference venue in Manchester in October 2021 in a suit shirt and shorts with black socks.
![Days later he was in more suitable gear when leaving his Manchester hotel before sunrise for a jog ahead of his key note speech to the Tory Party conference later that day](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/48826067-13350133-The_Prime_Minister_pictured_left_his_Manchester_hotel_before_sun-a-2_1714058803357.jpg)
Days later he was in more suitable gear when leaving his Manchester hotel before sunrise for a jog ahead of his key note speech to the Tory Party conference later that day
![Boris Johnson last year revealed he was called a 'w*****' whilst jogging through a London park](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/16/68262853-13350133-Boris_Johnson_revealed_he_was_called_a_w_whilst_jogging_through_-a-3_1714058829369.jpg)
Boris Johnson last year revealed he was called a 'w*****' whilst jogging through a London park
![David Cameron would go for jogs in London during his time as Prime Minister - he is pictured here doing so on December 1, 2015](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/17/84090995-13350133-image-m-24_1714061078093.jpg)
David Cameron would go for jogs in London during his time as Prime Minister - he is pictured here doing so on December 1, 2015
![The politician, now Lord Cameron, has kept up the habit since returning to government as Foreign Secretary, including here in St James's Park, central London, on January 15](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/25/17/84090993-13350133-image-a-22_1714061064951.jpg)
The politician, now Lord Cameron, has kept up the habit since returning to government as Foreign Secretary, including here in St James's Park, central London, on January 15
He told a business conference: 'Some fit young geezer shot past me. He sang out a cheery London greeting - 'w***er', he said.
'I'm normally impervious to these type of things but I'm afraid this time I seethed - I thought, 'you rotter'.
'Then I relaxed and thought what a wonderful country we are and how fortunate I am to be shouted at on my morning run.'
Another former PM, David - now Lord - Cameron was also seen jogging through London parks - saying in 2014 he enjoyed the sense of anonymity which meant onlookers only saw 'some middle-aged slightly overweight man'.
He has also been seen jogging in St James's Park since returning to government as Foreign Secretary.
Tony Blair, during his time as PM, joined a mile-long charity run for Sport Relief in June 2006, in Newham in east London.