Nicholas Coats completes 1,700km run to Cappadocia for mental health awareness

British athlete Nicholas Coats has completed a 1,700-kilometer run spanning Albania, Greece, and Turkey, arriving in Ürgüp, Cappadocia, after 37 days. Running an average of 45 to 50 kilometers per day, Coats undertook the journey under the slogan ‘Unbound-Break the Silence’ to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention.

Coats, a former soldier, planned the route from his home in Dubai using Google Maps and integrated the ‘Ultra for Charity’ event in Albania into his trek. He raised funds for the UK-based charity ‘Checking on a Mate’ to encourage people to speak about mental health struggles and support one another.

During the final stages of the journey, Coats reported significant physical and mental exhaustion, noting that the last 20 kilometers were particularly difficult. He was met in Ürgüp by family, friends, and local citizens before preparing for the upcoming Kapadokya Ultra Trail race.