Alejandro Navarro – Superman with 92 percent disability

Alejandro Navarro, a 47-year-old from Malaga, made history at the 2025 101km de Ronda ultramarathon, becoming the first person with a 92 per cent disability to complete the gruelling 101-kilometre race, and all for the Asociación AOPA Autismo in Ronda.

Navarro, who was left with a tetraplegia after a domestic accident twelve years ago and had limited arm and shoulders mobility, no trunk stability, muscle spasms and the inability to sweat due to his tetraplegia, finished in under 24 hours. His achievement in the race, with 2,800 metres of elevation gain across Ronda and Cádiz’s sierras, wowed spectators and runners.

Navarro, a former national police officer and legionnaire, ran to raise money for AOPA Autismo Ronda. The organization supports 170 autistic kids and 500 families. With the back up of a team of seven runners, including Dr Antonio López from the National Paraplegics Hospital, and two support vehicles with family, Dr Silvia Ceruelo, and firefighters, Navarro’s intense preparation enabled him to overcome immense physical challenges. ‘This is no whim, but an honour,’ he said, reflecting on his 11 years as a legionnaire and his nonprofit, Asociación Alejandro Navarro, which promotes inclusive sports.

His journey has inspired many, uniting charity with determination. ‘I lost a lot but gained a new way to live,’ he said at the end of the race, living up to his motto: ‘Give without expecting anything.’