British runner Nick Coats reaches Cappadocia after running 1,700 km in 37 days

Dubai-based British ultra-trail runner Nick Coats reached Ürgüp in Türkiye’s Nevşehir province after running about 1,700 kilometers in 37 days from Albania via Greece. Coats ran to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention.

Dubai-based British ultra-trail runner Nick Coats has reached the Ürgüp district of Türkiye’s Nevşehir province after running a roughly 1,700-kilometer route from Albania through Greece to Türkiye in 37 days. Coats set out under the slogan “Unbound – Break the Silence” to raise awareness of mental health and draw attention to suicide prevention.

Having started running in Albania in the first week of September, he covered an average of 45 to 50 kilometers a day. In Ürgüp, he was welcomed by his family, his girlfriend and many local residents carrying Turkish and British flags.

“The last day was very hard for me”

Runners making their way through the valleys of Cappadocia

Ürgüp Mayor Ali Ertuğrul Bul, Aydın Ayhan Güney, co-founder of race organizer Argeus Travel & Events, and Salomon Türkiye executives Mehmet Ali Köseoğlu and Ebru Çil were also at the welcome.

Saying the last day was very hard for him, Coats recounted that he felt his strength run out over the final 20 kilometers, sat down by a wall, ate, drank and rested, and then started running again. He thanked everyone who supported him along the way.

Next up: 119 kilometers

The start area in Ürgüp

Coats’ next goal is the 119-kilometer course of the Salomon Cappadocia Ultra Trail, which started in Ürgüp on Oct. 17. Organized for the 13th time by Argeus Travel & Events on Oct. 16-18, the event has drawn about 3,000 athletes from 78 countries. The race offers four courses of 119, 63, 38 and 14 kilometers, and 816 runners competed in the 14-kilometer race on Oct. 16.

The 119-kilometer course starts in Ürgüp and passes through Ortahisar, İbrahimpaşa, Uçhisar, Göreme, Çavuşin and Akdağ, as well as the villages of Karlık, Taşkınpaşa and Cemil and the town of Mustafapaşa, before finishing back in Ürgüp.

Have a story, event or announcement of your own?Send us your news on WhatsApp

Spotted an error in this story?Report it on WhatsApp

Share on all social platforms