Nick Butter is a British endurance athlete who etched his name in history in 2019 by becoming the first person to run a marathon in every country in the world. This extraordinary accomplishment saw him conquer 196 nations in 674 days, a true show of physical prowess and a heartfelt mission to raise awareness for prostate cancer research.

A Journey Inspired by Resilience
Butter’s incredible challenge was ignited during the Marathon des Sables, a brutal race across the Sahara Desert, where he met Kevin Webber, a man battling terminal prostate cancer. Webber’s unwavering positivity despite his diagnosis deeply moved Butter, inspiring him to launch this global marathon endeavor. To raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK and encourage regular health checks among men, Butter turned inspiration into action.

Triumph Over Adversity
The journey was far from smooth. Butter braved extreme weather, from blistering heat to bone-chilling cold, and ran through some of the planet’s most remote and unstable regions. His resolve was tested by life-threatening encounters, being shot at, mugged at gunpoint, attacked by dogs, and even enduring a minor heart attack during a marathon in Samoa. Yet, with the backing of his team and the global running community, Butter pressed on, raising over £120,000 for his cause.

A Legacy of Inspiration
Since completing his record-breaking test, Nick Butter has turned his experiences into motivational speaking, writing, and coaching. His book, Running the World was released in 2020 and offers a gripping account of his travels and the profound lessons he gleaned about perseverance and purpose. Nick Butter went on to  author three additional books. Run Britain, published in 2023, details his record-breaking run along Britain’s coastline, while On The Run, from 2021, serves as a guide to global running experiences. The upcoming World Run Photography Book is noted as forthcoming, focusing on photographic journals from his journeys. For more details, visit Nick Butter’s website.

Nick also founded the 196 Foundation, a non-profit that provides aid packages to various individuals and groups across the globe, and Run Weekends, a guided adventure company that organizes running retreats and mountain adventures.