Former soldier braves blisters and bears to complete epic 1,700km run across three countries

British ex-soldier Nick Coats, 39, braved harsh conditions to complete a grueling 1,700km run across Albania, Greece, and Turkey in just 40 days. Coats, a fitness coach based in Dubai, embarked on this ultra-endurance challenge to support a UK men's mental health charity. His journey began on September 5 in Albania and concluded on Wednesday evening in Cappadocia, Turkey.

Coats encountered numerous challenges throughout his run, including blister-ravaged feet, treacherous mountain terrain, and wildlife such as bears and wolves. Despite these obstacles, he persevered, completing daily marathons of up to 54km while carrying a 12kg rucksack in 35C heat. The final leg of his journey was particularly rewarding, as he was welcomed by local officials upon arriving in Cappadocia.

Coats, who served seven years in the British Army, struggled to adjust to civilian life after his military career. His decision to take up ultramarathon running stemmed from his desire to help friends and colleagues dealing with mental health issues. He now supports the Check in on a Mate initiative, which aims to improve mental health awareness among men and promote open conversations about mental health challenges.

Coats hopes to introduce similar education programmes in schools and train teachers to identify early warning signs of mental health issues in young people.

By completing this epic run, Coats hopes to raise funds for the charity and demonstrate the incredible resilience of the human body and mind. He emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness and encourages open discussions to break the stigma surrounding mental health struggles.