Wittenborg Journalist Walks 102 km in 24 Hours on Epic Personal Challenge

20.05.2025

Wittenborg’s Ulisses Sawczuk Takes on Massive Hike from Londrina to Maringá

When it comes to pushing the limits of physical endurance, Wittenborg journalist Ulisses Sawczuk and his cousin Olavo prove that walking isn't just a stroll in the park – it's a serious adventure. Who says you need a marathon to test your limits? The duo recently tackled a 102 km walking challenge in Brazil, braving everything from heat to unexpected downpours, armed with bamboo sticks, peanut snacks and pure determination.

What started as an out-there suggestion from Ulisses’ sport-aficionado cousin soon turned into a full-blown project. Back in April 2023, Olavo floated the idea of walking 130 km in 24 hours between their hometown of Londrina and Maringá, the two largest cities in Northern Paraná. At first, Ulisses wasn’t entirely convinced. “It sounded a bit insane,” he admits. But the idea stuck.

After a few months of intense training, however, the cousins decided to scale back their original plan. They realised that 130 km in one go was just too extreme – so they adjusted their goal to a still-formidable 102 km.

By June 2023, the cousins were training nearly every weekend, gradually building up their stamina with increasingly longer hikes. They started with 15 km and worked their way up to 20, 30, 40, and even 60 km. “One of our toughest practice hikes was in November 2023,” Ulisses recalls. “The temperature hit 36°C in the afternoon, and we were completely drained. When we finally reached our destination – a rural bar – they’d sold out of cold drinks. I had to settle for a bottle of hot iced tea that only made me thirstier!”

After this hike, work commitments and travel slowed their progress, pushing back their goal. As a result, it wasn’t until August 2024 that they were ready for their first attempt at the 102 km challenge. “We started the walk at 16:00, and there was some light rain, which turned into a huge storm around 2:30, with the temperature dropping to 7°C. After five hours of walking under those conditions, we realised the rain wasn’t stopping, and we gave up at the 63 km mark.”

However, they didn’t give up on their goal. In early 2025, they decided to try again. “We kept practising. I even practised while abroad during my vacation, hiking in the Sonoran Desert and San Francisco, as well as in snowy Munich,” Ulisses shares.

The Big Day

On 21 March 2025, the duo finally set off at 16:00. From the start, they were prepared for the unexpected, equipped with bamboo walking sticks and backpacks filled with sardines, fruits, peanuts, a typical Brazilian peanut candy called pé de moleque, tuna sandwiches, and plenty of water.

The terrain was steep, hilly, and full of loose stones in the second part of the walk (from km 26 to km 63), which made them a little tired. But they were well-prepared, and walking this section at night turned out to be a blessing, helping them avoid the harsh midday sun. They also had support from their uncle Mário and his partner, Paula.

The toughest part, however, came at the end. Things were going well up until the 75 km mark, but then they had to navigate through several kilometres of irregular cobblestone roads, and Ulisses’ left calf started to complain. There were still hills left, and as the sun began to rise, the temperature climbed, making the pain worse.

When they reached the 80 km pit stop (one of three, each in a different city), they were very tired and close to their limits. But with only 22 km to go and now in Maringá’s metro region, they decided to push on.

The Last 10 km: A Test of Endurance

The final 10 km were a true test of mental and physical endurance. “My calves, knees, and the soles of my feet hurt a lot – basically, everything was sore,” Ulisses recalls. But with the goal so close, they just kept putting one foot in front of the other.

They reached the finish line – at a hotel in downtown Maringá – at precisely 16:55 on Saturday, 22 March. They had left Londrina at 16:00 on Friday, completing the 102 km challenge in 24 hours and 55 minutes, without sleeping.

Ulisses was exhausted but also relieved and incredibly happy. “I had some blisters on the upper part of my feet, but they weren’t too bad. I got very sleepy and a little mentally numb. We went to a pizzeria to celebrate, and then I crashed at the hotel until the next morning. My legs were sore for almost a week after.”

He also explains that he has a dark purple toenail that will probably take weeks – maybe even months – to revert to its normal colour. “It’s my badge of honour,” Ulisses laughs.

The Strategy

When asked about his strategy for staying motivated and pushing through fatigue, Ulisses shares, “We divided the route into four stretches and focused on reaching the next checkpoint, rather than thinking about the entire journey. During the walk, I would often remember my previous hikes and use those memories as motivation. For example, I’d think, ‘Only 40 km to go – that’s like two ‘short’ practice sessions’ or ‘We’re in the final 10 km, that’s just a stroll in Londrina.’”

“In the end, the pain was constant, but I realised it wasn’t getting worse. I just needed to be patient and keep walking. And of course, we motivated each other throughout. In the final 2 km, I had my phone with Google Maps open, and we literally counted down every 100 metres.”

The Most Breathtaking Views

When asked about his favourite stop or most breathtaking view, Ulisses recalls, “Walking along the rural roads, especially at the beginning of the hike when we were still rested enough to appreciate the scenery, was truly beautiful. Watching the sunset offered stunning views of farmland, hills, valleys and forests.”

“Even though hiking at night isn’t ideal for pictures, it had a beautiful, otherworldly quality. It was peaceful and quiet, and we felt protected. We saw lots of stars in the sky, the light of an isolated house in the distance, and the silhouettes of trees. At times, we’d turn off our headlamps just to enjoy the moonlight.”

What’s Next?

As for what’s next? Ulisses is considering another long-distance challenge. “I might do it again, but if I do, I’d like to walk a different route. Maybe the Mammutmarsch, a 100-km challenge in Munich, Germany. There are areas near Londrina that we’d like to explore, such as the region around Salto do Apucaraninha (a large waterfall surrounded by forests and peaks) and the Tibagi River. Another idea we’ve had is to walk one of the Caminos de Santiago in Europe. And there are plenty of other beautiful trails to explore in Brazil and around the world.”