Santalucía Seniors Arctic 2025 Challenge

She lives in Seville and has worked as a nurse, social worker, and anthropologist, with experience in hospitals, universities, and international cooperation. She currently leads an association for grief support, helping people facing significant losses. She is passionate about hiking, the gym, and traveling. Optimistic and supportive, she believes in living with gratitude and purpose until the end, and is always ready to take on new challenges.

Bernardo is an entrepreneur and adventurer, with a life full of challenges. He has sailed across the Atlantic, taken part in the around-the-world voyage commemorating Elcano, and climbed Kilimanjaro. Passionate about golf, skiing, hiking, and water sports, he is also a boat skipper and ultralight pilot. With great motivational skills and a strong sense of teamwork, Bernardo believes that age is not an obstacle but a driving force that pushes him to keep surpassing limits.

Merche, from Gandía, worked as a sports technical assistant for 34 years and is passionate about sports and personal growth. She has practiced mountain running, swimming, Nordic walking, yoga, and tai chi, serving as a referee and being selected by the Valencian Federation. She overcame cancer and never stopped fighting for her goals. With discipline, effort, and commitment, she continues to show that age is not a limit. Her energy and motivation are her greatest strengths.

Jesús, a currently serving magistrate and university professor, has dedicated his life to justice and teaching while never giving up his great passion: the mountains. With experience in hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and climbing, he has conquered peaks in the Alps, Kilimanjaro, and the volcanoes of Chile. His greatest sporting challenge was completing 270 km in the UTMB Petite Trotte à Léon. For him, the greatest adventure is always the next one, and now, it is Svalbard.

Esther lives in Irún, Gipuzkoa, and after a career in Psychology, she has worked in the social sector, especially on projects focused on job placement and employment training. She has led projects and been part of multidisciplinary teams. Passionate about sports, tennis, cycling, and kayaking are an essential part of her life. She has also written a book about women’s participation in the Olympic Games. Always with a positive attitude, she’s ready to take on new challenges in the Desafío Santalucía Seniors.