Senegal
From the coast of Dakar to the jungles of Casamance, Senegal becomes the stage for the twelfth Pelayo Vida Challenge. Starting in October, five women who are cancer survivors will push their limits for 17 days on mountain bikes and kayaks. A wild journey of endurance and overcoming challenges to demonstrate the power of sport and send a global message of hope and research.
The female explorers
Chosen from over 500 female candidates from nine countries, The five expeditionaries this year know very well what it means to rebuild themselves. They are women who have faced different types of cancer and who have traveled the hard road of accepting their illness, overcoming treatments, and living with their side effects. Now, they transform that experience into a driving force to show that there are no limits when you surround yourself with the right team.
Unlike cancer, this is a challenge they have freely chosen. Senegal will be the stage where they test their bodies and minds, becoming a beacon of hope for thousands of women currently battling the disease. Their journey is living proof that sport is a powerful tool for recovery, motivation, and life.
Antonio de la Rosa
Sports Director
Antonio de la Rosa will lead the expedition, an international benchmark in adventure sports and extreme endurance. With a record that includes dozens of national and international raids and historical solo feats (such as his recent nearly 750-mile ski traverse of the South Pole in 2025), his experience will be the fundamental pillar of this challenge.
De la Rosa will not only design the personalized training for each of the female explorers but will also lead the group on the challenging terrain of Senegal, ensuring safety, constant adaptation, and maximum team cohesion at each stage.
MEETING THE ADVENTURERS
Vanesa
Senegal 2026
An elite former gymnast and two-time Spanish champion was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2024. Facing a mastectomy was an incredibly difficult process, but she found her best psychological and motivational refuge in sports. A mother of two, she discovered the Pelayo Vida Challenge by chance at a race and is now traveling to Senegal, determined to be an example of overcoming adversity for her children and for the world.
«Sport was my daily therapy and my commitment to myself. Cancer turned my life upside down, but it gave me even more desire to move..«
45 years old · Breast cancer
Madrid / A Coruña · Store Manager at Primark
Noemi
Senegal 2026
She overcame thyroid cancer at age 8 and, in 2024, was diagnosed with an aggressive and rare form of breast cancer. Although fear paralyzed her at first, this adventurer, who has traveled to 50 countries, leaned on her support system and sports to regain control. An indoor cycling instructor, she is now making her mountain biking debut to demonstrate the power of physical activity in emotional recovery.
«I feel lucky to have touched death and not died. If my story can help someone not give up, it will have all been worth it.«
42 years old · Thyroid and breast cancer
Madrid / Seville · Employee at Heineken
Milena
Senegal 2026
Diagnosed at 35, cancer cut short her plans for motherhood and left her with chronic lymphedema in her leg. Far from giving in to her medical limitations, this midwife retreated to the mountains to regain her self-esteem. After several attempts, this year she is fulfilling her dream of participating in the Reto Pelayo Vida to show that aftereffects don't hold anyone back.
«Cancer ravaged my life, but I rebuilt myself through sports. I learned to live with the consequences and not set limits for myself.«
42 years old · Ovarian cancer
San Sebastian · Matron
Marta
Senegal 2026
Passionate about backpacking, yoga, and sports, Marta received her cancer diagnosis in 2023 while pregnant. After giving birth to her baby, she underwent a second major surgery that left her with nerve damage in her right leg. Her real challenge was regaining mobility through consistency, the gym, and swimming. Vibrant and disciplined, she travels to Senegal to indulge her two great passions, cycling and kayaking, and to connect deeply with women who have gone through similar experiences.
«My son was my savior; thanks to my pregnancy, they detected the cancer in time. Facing chemotherapy with a life growing inside me taught me to never give up.«
42 years old · Ovarian cancer
Valencia · Agrarian Relations Coordinator
Irantzu
Senegal 2026
After nearly twenty years of working in human rights in countries like Nepal and South Sudan, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024. Following a mastectomy, she made the brave decision not to have breast reconstruction, embarking on a profound journey of personal acceptance. Passionate about handball and mountain biking, she joins the Challenge to transform her experience into social commitment and raise awareness about the body's strength after illness.
«Cancer forced me to stop in my tracks. Today I embrace my scar as a symbol of everything I've been through and the life I choose to continue enjoying.«