Spanish athlete Álex Roca has once again shown that he has no limits. His name has already been recorded in the history of world sports, after which Sunday became the first athlete in the world to complete a marathon with a 76% disability. It did over time 5h50:51 in the 44th edition of La Zurich Marató de Barcelona.

Roca starred in an emotional image as he crossed the finish line with his group of friends, his wife, Mari Carmen Maza, as well as the athlete and communicator Valentí Sanjuan, who accompanied him in his other challenges.

But getting here was not easy for him. When he was only six months old he suffered from a herpetic viral encephalitis which caused him cerebral palsy. Then they told him he would not be able to live, and later that he would not be able to walk. However, Álex Roca has left all expectations behind and has overcome all the challenges he set for himself.

At 32, he has completed five triathlons, one aquatlon, six half marathons (Barcelona 2019, 2022 and 2023, Granollers 2023, New York and Miami 2022), the Titan Desert in 2019 and the Pilgrim Race in 2018. In addition, he has amassed 70 races of five and 10 kilometres.

A few days ago, the Barcelona native shared a video on his Tik Tok account where he explained the reasons that prompted him to run a marathon. “Anyone who has a goal, no matter how many difficulties and fears accompany it, with sacrifice, attitude and teamwork, can achieve it”, he said through sign language and helped by his wife, who is the one who gives voice to his words.

“I decided to run the Barcelona marathon so that people who are scared or don’t feel capable of achieving this goal will see me cross the finish line of a marathon and say to themselves: I can do it too” remembered.

After reaching the finish line, he said he felt “immense satisfaction” with what he had just achieved. “This marathon was the greatest experience of my life. It’s a dream come true, but behind this triumph there are many months of sacrifices, effort and training. It was very hard and I pushed myself to the limit, but it was worth it. The satisfaction is immense,” he said.

Roca, who is an ambassador for the Futbol Club Barcelona Foundation, is currently the only Nike athlete with cerebral palsy in the world. Furthermore, he is an idol of the masses on social networks, where he shares his sporting challenges and moments of his day.