Association Du Polyliban Organizes the Fifth Polyathlon Des Cèdres

For the fifth consecutive year, the Association du PolyLiban (www.polyliban.org) organizes its Lebanese-Swiss sport and cultural event: The Polyathlon des Cèdres, a press release said.

It is a non-competitive adventure that expands your limits, gives you the chance to discover Lebanon, and raises awareness to respect the environment by using only your bike and legs as a means to travel, it added.

This event will take place from September 21 till 27, 2012 under the High Patronage of the Lebanese Army Commander, General Jean Kahwaji, with the participation of the Lebanese Army and the support of the Ambassador of Switzerland in Lebanon, Mrs. Ruth Flint.

In previous years, hundreds of men and women, from Switzerland, France, Canada, Australia, the Czech Republic, Belgium and participants from the Lebanese Army spent one week exploring Lebanese mountains while practicing sports.

The diversity of nationalities, sports and fraternal atmosphere all make the Polyathlon a good place to promote intercultural exchange which enables people to transcend social, religious, and political barriers of our society.

For the Polyathlon des Cèdres: participants will start with 3 km of rafting, starting from the port of Byblos followed by a swim of 2 km. After that, the participants start their 84 km bicycle ride to the Becharreh Cedar and will end-up linking the sea to the highest summit in the Middle East, Qornet Es Sawda (3088 m) by a 12-km walk. The goal would be to arrive within 24 hours at the peak, just like 2011!

The participants will continue their sports activity with a 4-day cycling tour “Into the Wild”. PolyLiban riders are going to face a new challenge this year: riding across the Lebanese mountains and spending their nights under the stars next to a water source, the press release added.

Four days of wilderness, camping and having a cold bath in natural water sources. The objective is to go back to the roots and feel the true freedom outside civilization!

The tour will start from the Cedars to Jered Afqa, passing through Tannourine, Laqlouq . The next day, participants will continue to Faraya, Tarchich, Zahle, Ammiq. On the third day, participants will go to Jezzine passing by Jeb Janine, Marjeyoun to reach at the end of the tour Baabda where they will thank the Commander General Jean Kahwagi for his patronage.

The participants will live a unique experience, with a daily average distance of 80 km, and more than 4,000 m uphill, concluded the press release.