EDP Sets Guinness World Record for 'High Fives' at Lisbon Marathon
In a press release published on October 12, 2026, EDP reported on the EDP High Five operation, designed for the year of its 50th anniversary. The initiative converted the participation of runners and the public into financial support for partner social organizations.
Over Seven Thousand High Fives Validated by Guinness World Records
Over the 42 kilometers of the EDP Lisbon Marathon, held between Cascais and Lisbon, the EDP High Five initiative established a new Guinness World Record: that of the highest number of high fives given during a marathon. The total exceeded seven thousand, a result officially validated by Guinness World Records.
The operation was carried out by five marathon runners selected for this mission: Pedro Fernandes, Glória Dias, Leonardo Viegas, Anthony Vincent and Lydia Oldham. Equipped with technological gloves, they ran the distance by inviting runners and spectators to join the movement.
In total, ten gloves equipped with integrated sensors counted each interaction in real time. They were connected to a platform responsible for recording these interactions and converting them into kWh.
One Year of Energy Funded for Sports and Social Organizations
The beneficiaries are Associação do Moinho, ASSACM, CAZAmbujal, CESIS, AMRT, START.SOCIAL, Centro Social do Soutelo and Centro Juvenil Padre Amadeu. These organizations collaborate with the EDP Clube Runners project and promote sports practice among children and young people from socio-economically vulnerable communities. EDP will provide them with a cash donation equivalent to what they would spend on one year of energy.
"This world record is much more than a number," said Catarina Barradas, global brand director at EDP. She recalled that the group has been associated with the Lisbon Marathon for decades and indicated her desire to make it "an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most".
The creative concept was developed with the NOSSA agency. According to the press release, the operation extends the long-standing link the energy company maintains with athletics.
