This initiative, which combines an extreme physical challenge with a charitable purpose, seeks to surpass the current record of 80 kilometers for a handcuffed couple. Pelayo, a civil guard from Luarca (Asturias), and Jessica, a local police officer from Calpe (Alicante), are not originally from Andalusia nor had they visited Ronda before. The idea for this challenge emerged about five months ago while they were researching Guinness World Records for entertainment.
“"We were looking at Guinness records, not thinking of breaking any, but for entertainment. It amused us."
The couple felt inspired upon discovering the record for a handcuffed pair and decided to give it a charitable purpose. After learning about the Ronda race and its demanding route, they registered and began searching for an organization to support. This led them to the Pequeño Deseo Foundation, dedicated to fulfilling the dreams of children and adolescents with serious illnesses, a cause that deeply moved them as parents.
The challenge, named 101khandcuffed, has a website for donations and an Instagram profile where they document their progress. All proceeds will go entirely to emotionally support children with serious illnesses. Although the Guinness World Record is an incentive, Pelayo emphasizes that the true goal is to help the children. In addition to online donations, they are preparing calendars to "sponsor kilometers" and will have the support of their parents in Ronda on race day.
Running handcuffed from start to finish requires constant coordination and adaptation, symbolizing the message that "no one should fight alone." Despite their height difference, they have adapted well during their training. Since January, they have been preparing intensely, training separately during the week and together on weekends. Their longest distance together has been 33 kilometers in four hours, around La Graciosa, estimating that in Ronda they will spend between 15 and 16 hours handcuffed.
“"We are not professional athletes, nor are we seeking prominence. All we want is for our challenge to serve as a loudspeaker and for every kilometer to count, for every story to reach a little further, and for the effort to have a real impact beyond the record."
Pelayo considers himself a "novice" in marathons, while Jessica has experience in events like the Ironman and the African Race of Melilla. Both hope their effort will generate a significant impact and bring visibility to the important work of the foundation.
