The Ultra-Marathon Dog: How Hikuri Ran 100 Kilometers to Find His Forever Home

In the rugged mountains of Mascota, Jalisco, Mexico, a small, abandoned dog was thrown from a truck and left to survive on his own. No food, no shelter, no safety.

Most strays roam the streets searching for scraps, avoiding human contact, and struggling to stay alive. But this dog—Hikuri—did something different.

Instead of wandering aimlessly, he followed a pack of ultra-marathon runners through the brutal terrain of the UTMB Mexico 100K race.

For 62 miles, he ran through the mountains and jungles, through heat and exhaustion, through hunger and uncertainty—without knowing that at the finish line, his fate would change forever.

This is the incredible true story of the abused dog who ran himself into a new life.

Thrown Away, But Not Defeated

Hikuri’s journey began in Mascota, a small town in western Mexico. No one knows who his previous owners were, but we do know this—they didn’t want him.

He was thrown from a moving truck, abandoned without a second thought. Injured and confused, he somehow found his way to a local veterinary clinic, where kind-hearted staff treated him as best they could.

But in a town with countless stray dogs and limited resources, the clinic couldn’t keep him. He was soon released back onto the streets, with nowhere to go and no one to care for him.

That could have been the end of his story.

But fate had other plans.

A Dog’s 100-Kilometer Journey Begins

At the same time Hikuri was released, something extraordinary was happening in Mascota.

It was the start of UTMB Mexico, an internationally recognized ultra-marathon event where runners take on some of the toughest races in the world. One of these races, the 100K, would take competitors through treacherous mountains, dense jungle trails, and unforgiving terrain, all the way to the Pacific coast in Puerto Vallarta.

Hikuri, possibly drawn by the energy and movement of the runners, started following them.

And he didn’t stop.

Running Through the Night, Running for a New Life

For over 15 hours, Hikuri stayed with the ultra-runners, weaving through the same steep climbs, river crossings, and rocky trails that tested the endurance of some of the world’s toughest athletes.

The UTMB media team, stationed along the course to document the race, began noticing him. They had seen him at the starting line, and yet—mile after mile, checkpoint after checkpoint—there he was.

They started capturing photos and videos of the determined stray.

Hikuri, with no food, no water, and no prior training, was keeping pace with world-class ultra-runners.

This wasn’t just a lost dog looking for company—this was a survivor, an endurance athlete in his own right, pushing through pain, exhaustion, and uncertainty with the same grit as the human competitors.

By the time Hikuri crossed the finish line, he had become a symbol of resilience and perseverance.

And his story was only just beginning.

The Right Person Sees His Story

After the race, the UTMB media team shared Hikuri’s journey online.

Thousands of people were moved by his determination, loyalty, and sheer willpower, but one person in particular felt an instant connection.

A professional ultra-runner, competing in the 100-mile race at UTMB Mexico that same weekend, saw Hikuri’s story and knew she had to adopt him.

Fate had already brought them close once—it’s believed that they unknowingly crossed paths at an aid station during the race.

Now, she was determined to bring him home.

The Complicated Journey to Adoption

Rescuing a stray dog is never simple. Rescuing a stray dog from another country is even harder.

The runner reached out to Ignacio “Nacho”, one of the UTMB photographers who had documented Hikuri’s journey.

Through Nacho, she was connected to Golo, a local animal lover who had been looking after Hikuri in Mascota.

Together, they put together a plan to get Hikuri to his new home in the United States.

The journey took them from:

📍 Mascota to Guadalajara—where they arranged for his travel documents and veterinary checks.✈️ Guadalajara to the U.S.—where he would finally meet his new owner.🏠 Home—just in time for Christmas 2024.

Hikuri’s New Life: Running, Traveling, and Finally Belonging

Today, Hikuri isn’t just a stray dog running alone in the mountains—he’s part of a family.

He spends his days running alongside his new owner, traveling to different races, and living a life filled with love and adventure.

"He brings me joy every day," his owner shared. "It’s hard to believe that just a few months ago, he was alone on the streets. Now, he’s part of my life, and I’m so grateful we found each other."

Hikuri may have started his journey as a stray dog fighting to survive, but now, he’s a beloved running companion, a travel partner, and a symbol of resilience.

A Race Inspired by a Dog’s Journey

But Hikuri’s story doesn’t just end with his adoption.

His journey inspired the people of Mascota to organize a new trail race in his honor.

The event will raise money for:

✔ Veterinary care for stray animals✔ Shelter and adoption programs✔ Finding homes for more dogs like Hikuri

Through this race, Hikuri’s legacy will continue—helping other animals find the same love and second chance that he did.

Final Thoughts: A Story of Fate, Endurance, and Finding Home

Hikuri was:

❌ Thrown away.❌ Left behind.❌ Forgotten.

But he kept running.

And in doing so, he found:

✅ A purpose.✅ A home.✅ A family.

Sometimes, life’s most incredible journeys aren’t planned—they’re simply run into.

Hikuri didn’t know where he was going when he set off on that 100-kilometer race—but in the end, he found exactly where he was meant to be