Yes, you read the headline correctly! A man on a run to London in the UK from South Africa took a quick stop recently to rescue a baby springbok who got trapped.
South Africa (24 August 2023) — A man on a mission to run from Cape Town to London (not East London) took a quick stop recently. On the 27th day of his big run, Deo Kato noticed what would be revealed to be a baby springbok in distress and paused his mission to help the little one get free.
When he realised there was a situation involving a small animal that needed a helping hand, the runner’s focus shifted from his 40km average per day to helping the animal.
Thanks to the help of another man, the pair managed to free the baby springbok from the fence so it could pronk on.
@deoruns Rescued a baby Springbok during my run from Cape Town to London on Day 27. #ProjectCapeTowntoLondon #Springbok #wildlife #southafrica ♬ original sound – Deo
As for Deo’s mission, this incredible ultra-marathon runner has long been gearing up for the run to London. The mission will take him 381 days in total, spanning a distance of 14 570kms, 16 countries and two continents.
This falls part of the Running for Justice Relay, now in its 4th year. For the Adidas Runners coach, it’s a chance to tell the story of human migration from Africa to the world. Deo has used his legs of steel for important causes in the past, including running against racism.
“Africa: her story has been mistold. Going on this journey is important because it matters to tell our history from an African. I will also show the next generation that nothing is impossible. If you can see tit and believe it, you can be come it.
“We all come from the same land; mother nature doesn’t care who you are. We should all be appreciated in the same way.”—Deo Kato.
You can keep up with Deo’s journey here.