Hospital da Luz ensured the clinical assistance to the participants in the 12 th edition of EDP Lisbon Marathon, which took place last October 25. This year, Maratona Clube de Portugal has split the event along two days, the half-marathon and the 8 km-running being held on Sunday 26. In total, about 33 thousand athletes participated, 15 thousand of which running the 42 km-marathon. As in 2024, Hospital da Luz took the opportunity to develop a solidarity action, “Running for a cause”: the kilometres run by the participants on the eve of the competition and by Hospital da Luz collaborators in the day of the event were converted in a sum donated to association Manicómio, a space of artistic creation dedicated to the qualification and psychosocial and professional reinsertion of people with mental disease through art. The initiative was a partnership between Hospital da Luz and Maratona Clube de Portugal, the organizer of the EDP Lisbon Marathon. Along the three days preceding the event (23, 24 and 25 October), athletes and Sport Expo visitors were challenged to step on a treadmill available in Hospital da Luz stand. Every kilometre on the treadmill, running or walking, represented €5 in favour of Manicómio. On the second day of the event, a team of 25 collaborators from Hospital da Luz participated in the 21 km and 8 km competitions, every kilometre also representing €5. Overall, the kilometres covered were translated into a 3,295 euros donation. Pedro Patrício, executive director of Hospital da Luz Lisboa, Carlos Moia and Nuno Moia, representatives of Maratona Clube de Portugal, delivered the check on that amount to Leonor Canelas, the coordinator of the project of association Manicómio. “On behalf of Manicómio, I thank Luz Saúde and all the participants in this marathon. Every kilometre you run as been transformed in needed and important support, and above all, in visibility and dignity for what we do. This donation is not merely a monetary value, but also a vote of confidence in people’s potential and in the idea that mental health is not a silent drama, but a visible strength. Thank you so much for running with us for this cause – and as you have seen, each step taken made all the difference”, stated apropos Leonor Canelas. “We continue to invest strongly on Sports Medicine, in the promotion of exercise and healthy lifestyles, and we intend to follow side by side with the best. That is why we remain partners in this event”, states Pedro Patrício, further adding: “Sport should also be an opportunity of inclusion and Hospital da Luz is always available to give its contribution in that sense”. Carlos Moia, on its turn, stresses “the importance of counting with partners of excellence such as Hospital da Luz, who share the same vision of sport as a promoter of health and welfare”. “This partnership reinforces the commitment to convey the message that running is more than just a competition – is a way of living better”, he stated. Official medical service provider for the fifth consecutive year The EDP Lisbon Marathon is a major track event in Portugal, beating records of participation every year. This 12 th edition counted with around 33 thousand participants. The marathoners started in Carcavelos and those running the half-marathon the 8 km-run started on Ponte Vasco da Gama. The 42 and the 21 km events ended in Praça do Comércio and the 8 km event ended in Portugal’s Pavilion, in the Expo area. This was the fifth year of Hospital da Luz as official medical service provider. Assistance was ensured by 260 health professionals – among doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and emergency technicians – supported by 24 ambulances, 18 motorcycles and 10 bicycles with medical crew. The main medical centre was set by the finish line, with other six advanced medical stations along the track. In total, besides the team developing the initiative “Running for a cause”, Hospital da Luz has had 80 collaborators participating in this edition of EDP Lisbon Marathon.
