Deo Kato, a Ugandan ultramarathon runner, has completed a 8,230-mile journey from Cape Town, South Africa, to London, United Kingdom, arriving on Sunday, December 22, after an extraordinary 518-day run.
The 35-year-old athlete began his journey in July 2023, starting at the Long March to Freedom monument in Cape Town, a site honoring the anti-apartheid struggle.
Over the course of the run, Kato climbed the equivalent of 11 Mount Everests, crossed conflict zones in Africa, and endured severe weather conditions, illness, and logistical challenges. Despite these obstacles, his Ugandan heritage remained a core part of his mission.
“Coming from Uganda, a country with a rich history of resilience, I wanted to show the world that migration and connection are a part of all our stories,” Kato said.
A Journey of Endurance and Challenges
Kato’s journey was not without its difficulties. Early on, he lost his support crew in Uganda, leaving him to navigate one of the most dangerous stretches of his route alone.
Funding for the journey also dwindled, and Kato found himself faced with the choice of continuing through regions rife with conflict or halting his mission altogether.
In Europe, the challenges took a different form. Kato faced daily racism, particularly in Croatia, where he was often stopped by police and treated as an illegal immigrant.
“It was one of the lowest points of the journey. I didn’t feel welcomed or that I belonged,” he said.
Yet, moments of connection and kindness helped him push through. In Botswana, a 15-year-old boy joined him for part of his run, while in Kenya, schoolchildren ran alongside him for five miles, their enthusiasm reigniting his spirit.
A Message for Humanity
For Kato, this run was about more than endurance; it was a statement. As a Ugandan, he sought to challenge stereotypes and the racist notion that people should “go back to where they come from.”
“This run was about proving that migration is not a threat but an opportunity for growth and understanding,” Kato explained.
Arriving in London, Kato was met by hundreds of supporters, including fellow runners who joined him for the final stretch to Downing Street and Hammersmith. His partner, Alice Light, who described the journey as a “rollercoaster of highs and lows,” expressed her pride in Kato’s accomplishment.
A Legacy of Resilience
Kato hopes his journey will inspire future generations to fight for a more inclusive and connected world.
“Although I know I won’t see a world free from racial discrimination in my lifetime, I believe my efforts, and those of others, are building the foundation for a better tomorrow,” Kato said.
