Andreas Nikolaou completes record coastline run around Cyprus

Limassol, Cyprus. Cypriot ultra-runner Andreas Nikolaou became the first recorded person to run the entire coastline of Cyprus, covering more than 700 kilometres in seven days, 22 hours and 35 minutes while raising money for Sigma Foundation and Little Heroes.

Nikolaou started the challenge at Molos Pier in Limassol on July 20, 2026, and completed it on July 27 after facing extreme heat, severe fatigue and minimal sleep.

Endurance challenge

Nikolaou said he undertook the challenge because he valued the prolonged discomfort involved in endurance running.

“I decided to take on this challenge because I genuinely enjoy the slow, monotonous suffering that comes with it,” he said.

“Not because it’s fun, but because it’s honest.”

Facing fatigue and heat

He said the long hours of running in difficult conditions allowed him to confront himself without distractions.

“When you’re out there for hours, under relentless heat, with your legs screaming at you and every part of your body telling you to stop, there’s nowhere left to hide,” Nikolaou said.

“No distractions. No masks. It’s just you.”

He said the challenge required accepting pain, exhaustion and doubt.

“I know the heat will pass because night always comes. I know the pain because I’ve lived there a thousand times before. And if I’m tired? So what. I’ll sleep when it’s over. None of this lasts forever,” he said.

“That’s what endurance teaches you. Everything passes, pain, fatigue, doubt. You just have to outlast them,” Nikolaou added.