2,100km for Kids' Cancer

After completing a grueling 2,100 km run in 30 days on December 12—covering around 70 km each day, sometimes under the scorching sun, other times in the stillness of night along deserted roads lined with dunes—Vilius Pakalniskis finally sat on a sandy beach in Jeddah.

Overwhelmed with emotion, he realized the magnitude of his accomplishment—running solo from Dubai to Jeddah to raise funds for children battling cancer in the UAE.

Yet, he was so drained of energy that he couldn’t even open a water bottle. “I just sat there, looking at the bottle and crying,” he recalled.

At 28, the Lithuanian fitness trainer received no applause in Jeddah for his daring effort; he never sought public fanfare. Instead, this was a personal celebration, a testament to his indomitable spirit and his mission to run for a meaningful cause. But he wasn’t alone.

Two Dubai-based volunteers, Tarren Hillier, a British national, and Dmitrii Faterin, a Russian expat, stood by him throughout, overwhelmed by the emotions of the moment.

Hillier managed Pakalniskis’ diet, while Faterin drove their caravan carrying supplies and documented the effort on video.

How It Began

Pakalniskis had dreamt of attempting such an extraordinary solo run for over three years.

However, his vision materialized only last September after he visited the Al Jalila Foundation in Dubai, a health organization promoting medical education and research.

There he met Carla Duarte, an experienced runner and Director of Partnerships at the Foundation, who immediately understood his ambition. With support from the Foundation and Saucony, his mission took off.

The project was named Project Coast to Coast, symbolizing his run from the Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea.

The initiative aimed to generate AED 250,000 to support children and their families in the UAE struggling with the high costs of cancer treatment.

To prepare for this monumental run, Pakalniskis designed his own rigorous training regimen, which consisted of running approximately 200 km weekly and enduring late-night runs in Europe to prepare for extreme conditions.

“I didn’t hire a coach because I know myself best,” he explained. “I trained for the worst-case scenarios—constant long runs, nothing intense, just steady effort.”

The Journey Begins

Pakalniskis embarked on his 30-day expedition on November 13, with Hillier and Faterin driving ahead in their caravan and halting every 50 km to meet him.

Each day began at 4:30 a.m., aiming to avoid the midday heat, and continued until late evening. Rest came in the form of brief afternoon breaks and sleep inside their caravan.

However, the challenge was relentless. Blistering heat caused lip sores, while strong winds and deserted highways in Saudi Arabia tested his endurance further.

“Running in total darkness, with no streetlights on the Saudi highways, was mentally excruciating,” he recounted. “There were moments when the wind almost knocked me into the sand. It was terrifying.”

A Test of Endurance

Fueling his body with sweet potatoes, mangoes, chicken, eggs, pasta, tuna, bread, and coffee, Pakalniskis consumed seven liters of water daily.

Even with six hours of sleep, his body endured pain—hips aching, ankles swelling, and his lower back seizing up. Yet, his spirit persevered. “Every morning, I felt rejuvenated. I knew I wouldn’t remember the pain, only the joy of finishing.”

The final stretch of the run proved to be the hardest. “The last 20 km in Jeddah felt unbearable, my body was breaking down,” he shared.

Yet, pushing through excruciating pain in the last five kilometers, he finally reached the beach and dived into the sea to celebrate, shoes and all, leaving beachgoers perplexed.

The Aftermath

Pakalniskis and his team, stunned by their accomplishment, reflected on their long, grueling journey.

“Did we really just do that?” they asked one another. Faterin is now editing the video footage from the trip, with hopes of releasing a documentary to inspire others, especially the younger generation.

Throughout his expedition, Pakalniskis built profound connections with strangers along the route.

Residents from small towns left heartfelt messages on their caravan, while Saudi locals extended incredible hospitality.

“One man, Adnan, didn’t know us but booked a hotel room for us and even invited us to meet his family. Moments like these will forever stay in our hearts,” he said.

Finding Purpose

For Pakalniskis, this run was more than just an athletic feat; it was about finding deeper meaning in his efforts.

“When I first met Carla, I told her I needed a purpose to run—a reason to make it worthwhile,” he said.

That purpose led him to accomplish this remarkable journey across dunes and highways, pushing his physical and mental limits while raising awareness and funds for children in need.

Despite the unimaginable challenges, Pakalniskis carries the joy of the connections made, the lives impacted, and the inspiration shared.

His story exemplifies perseverance, compassion, and the power of purpose-driven action, proving that with the right mindset, even the most daunting journeys can be conquered.

Source: khaleejtimes

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.