Your guide to the Polyathlon & PolyLiban 2016 Edition

I.

ABOUT

II.

DATES & PROGRAM

III.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

IV.

REGISTRATION & FEES

V.

LOGISTICS & EQUIPMENT

VI.

FOREIGN PARTICIPANTS

VII. SAFETY MEASURES

VIII. DETAILED CYCLING ROUTES
YOUR CHECKLIST

THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS 11 PAGES, READ THEM ATTENTIVELY

I.

ABOUT

The Polyathlon des Cdres and the PolyLiban Cyclo tour are organized by
L'Association du PolyLiban (www.polyliban.org) since 2008 under the high patronage of
the Lebanese Army Commander and with the support and participation of the Lebanese
Army and Poly-athletes from Lebanon, Europe, and the Middle East.
The "Polyathlon des Cdres" is the highest multi-sports event in Lebanon and the
Middle-East. It aims to create self-awareness by pushing personal boundaries through
the promotion of non-competitive sport activities with a green attitude. This 9th edition
of the Polyathlon will link Batroun coast to Qornet el Sawda (3088 m highest peak in
the Near East). The challenge includes rafting, swimming, archery, biking and trekking.
The Polyathlon is followed by the PolyLiban Cyclo tour. The 9th edition "PolyLiban des
4 Cols" is a long distance cycling adventure around Lebanon crossing more than 360 km
in 4 days along the most challenging mountain passes in Lebanon.

II.

DATES & PROGRAM

Polyathlon des Cdres 16-17-18 September 2016

Friday 16 September 2016
4:00 pm
Arrival to Batroun (Colonel Brewery), check in and preparation
6:30 pm
General briefing and stages explanation
7:30 pm
Opening ceremony and pasta party
9:30 pm
Final briefing and safety measures
Saturday 17 September 2016
3:00 am
Wake up and packing
3:30 am
Breakfast and bags transfer
4:00 am
Rafting stage (MANDATORY) 3 km
5:30 am
Swimming stage (Optional) 2 km
6:30 am
Bikes preparation
7:00 am
Cycling stage 100 km / +3900 m
Arrival before 3:00 pm to Cedars, trekking to Qornet el Sawda
Group A
Arrival between 3:00 and 6:00 pm to Cedars
Group B
Arrival after 3:00 pm to Mizyara (at 70 km) bus transfer to Cedars
Group C
8:00 pm
Dinner in Cedars for group B & C
9:00 pm
Dinner in Qornet el Sawda camp for group A
Sunday 18 September 2016
2:30 am
Wake-up for Group B & C
3:00 am
Trekking to Qornet el Sawda
8:00 am
Arrival to Qornet el Sawda (Group photo)
9:00 am
Bus transfer to Cedars
1:00 pm
Bus transfer to Batroun (except for PolyLiban participants)
3:00 pm
Arrival to Batroun
IMPORTANT The Polyathlon is a multi-sport event, to complete it participants should do all the stages
except for swimming (optional). Doing the trekking stage and sleeping at the Cedars barracks is
reserved for the participants who complete the rafting stage and one of the cycling stage categories.

PolyLiban des 4 Cols, September 19 to 22 September 2016

Monday 19 September 2016 (Col Cedars Aainata)
Cedars to Deir El Ahmar
Distance: 95 km

Elevation gain: 1700 m

Tuesday 20 September 2016 (Col Hadath Baalbak Ouioun El Siman)

Deir El Ahmar to Mtein
Distance: 95 km
Elevation gain: 2600 m
Wednesday 21 September 2016 (Col Kfarselwan Zahle)
Mtein to Ain Zebdeh
Distance: 90 km
Elevation gain: 1700 m
Thursday September 2016 (Col Kefraya Maasser El Shouf)
Ain Zebdeh to Yarzeh
Distance: 85 km
Elevation gain: 2100 m
IF YOU ARE PARTICIPATING ONLY IN THE POLYLIBAN YOU SHOULD ARRIVE TO THE CEDARS
BARRAKS ON SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2016 BETWEEN 2:00 AND 4:00 PM

Closing Ceremony on 22 September 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Location: to be determined soon

III.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

The Polyathlon des Cdres consists of 5 sports' activities to be completed in less than 24
hours, all activities are MANDATORY except for the swimming stage (Optional)
Sea Rafting (3km)
Sea Swimming (2km)
Cycling (100km)
Archery
Trekking (12km)
All participants should respect the Polyathlon values and abide by the general rules and
conditions. Polyathlon and PolyLiban cycling tour are non-competitive sport events and
racing is NOT-ALLOWED.
For their own safety and security all participants:
Should follow the official routing distributed by the organizers;
Should respect the organizers guidelines and remarks.
For the cycling stage 3 categories are available:
Group A
Group B
Group C

Batroun to the Cedars 100 km (arrival to the Cedars before 3:00 pm)
Batroun to the Cedars 100 km (arrival to the cedars between 3:00 and 6:00 pm)
Batroun to Mezyara 70 km (arrival to Mezyara after 3:00 pm, transfer by bus to the Cedars)

The participation is individual and each participant should specify in the registration form
which cycling group he would like to join (A, B, or C).
Polyathlon participants must arrive on Friday 16 September between 4:00 and 5:00 pm
to BATROUN Colonel Brewery.

PolyLiban participants must arrive on Sunday 18 September between 2:00 and 4:00 pm
to the Cedars Barracks.
Simple accommodation, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), and refueling (snacks, fruits,
and water), will be provided by the organizers during both events. For the accommodation
each participant should have his own sleeping bag and small mattress.
Each participant is free to bring his own food and beverages to refuel during the
Polyathlon event.
The organizers will ensure the transportation from the Cedars to Batroun on Sunday 18
September 2016 in the afternoon (departure around 1:00 pm)
Rafting stage [MANDATORY]

Participants will be divided into groups of 8 persons/raft

Distance: 3km
Each participant should wear a colored swimming cap, goggles and a headlamp
NO ONE will be all allowed to participate without the above mentioned equipment
Upon arrival, all participants must pass by the checkpoint

Swimming stage [Optional]

Distance: 2km
Each participant should wear a colored swimming cap and goggles
After each kilometer, participants have to get out of the water and pass by the checkpoint
NO ONE will be all allowed to participate without the swimming cap and goggles

Cycling stage [MANDATORY]

Distance: 100 km; Elevation gain: 3900 m (Level: VERY DIFFICULT)

Participants must wear an approved safety-cycling helmet.
NO ONE will be all allowed to ride without a proper helmet!
Traffic laws must be respected during the event. Note that all roads are OPEN to vehicle traffic.
Riders are expected to help fellow riders who experience any problems.
The organizers guidelines must be respected and adhered to, to ensure the safety of all riders.
You should not deviate from the official route unless you have informed one of the organizing
committee member and have received confirmation.
You must obey the traffic officers and authorized marshals/organizers at all times.
Do not litter in order to protect the environment.
Each participant should have his own bike fixing gear and at least 2 extra tubes
Each participant should have a head lamp

Trekking stage [MANDATORY]

Distance: 12km
Each participant should wear proper Hiking shoes, a polar jacket (or wind stopper) and gloves.
Each participant should have a bonnet/buff and head lamp.

IMPORTANT
Doing the trekking stage and sleeping at the Cedars barracks is reserved for the participants who
complete the rafting stage and one of the cycling stage categories.

Withdrawal
An escort bus and truck are available for any participant who does not feel well
and want to withdraw from the cycling stage.
Participants who withdraw are not allowed to cycle again.
The participant should inform the organizers about his withdrawal.
The escort bus and truck will continue to the Cedars and will not go back to Batroun
before Sunday afternoon.
Participant who withdraw during the cycling stage and would like to go back to
Batroun on Saturday should inform the organizers and ensure their own
transportation.

IV.

REGISTRATION & FEES

For your safety and security Pre-registration is MANDATORY

1- All participants are requested to register and pay for the Polyathlon des Cdres and/or
the PolyLiban des 4 Cols on the following link
https://www.ihjoz.com/events/1872-polyathlon-des-cedres-polyliban-2016
before Monday September 5, 2016
Participants who cannot register and pay online can do a direct registration and payment
during the Info Meeting
2- After September 5th registration WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!!
3- Who can participate in the Polyathlon & PolyLiban?
Any person who is over 18 years old in good health with no heart or respiratory problems
4- The Info Meeting (MANDATORY for all participants) will be held at Beirut Digital
District on Tuesday 30 August 2016 at 7:30 pm
5- We kindly ask you to bring the following documents to confirm your registration during
the Info Meeting:
-Copy of your ID (or copy of your passport)
-Copy of your medical insurance
-Registration fees (in case you didnt pay online)

REGISTRATION FEES/Person*
Polyathlon
PolyLiban
Polyathlon & PolyLiban
Cycling jersey

50 000 LBP
150 000 LBP
175 000 LBP
50 000 LBP

(or 33$)
(or 100$)
(or 117$)
(or 33$)

Fees include accommodation, refueling, escorting, bags transportation, and all meals
*The Polyathlon & PolyLiban are not for profit events, the symbolic fees cover part of the cost

Even if you have completed the registration and payment NOTE THAT YOU WILL STILL
HAVE TO ARRIVE BETWEEN 4 & 5 PM TO BATROUN ON FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER TO:
Sign the check-in sheet
Get your safety number and be informed about the safety measures
Buy the Polyathlon 2016 jersey (first arrived first served)

V.

LOGISTICS & EQUIPMENTS

During the Polyathlon des Cdres

Cycling clothes and shoes, snacks, water, and personal belongings should be prepared before the
departure of the first 2 stages (rafting and swimming) and packed in a plastic bag with the name
clearly written on it (distributed by the organizers).

The plastic bag should be well fixed on the participant bike.

Once the rafting and swimming stages are completed, each participant can retrieve his plastic bag
and prepare himself for the biking stage. The swimming suit, goggles, and towel will be packed in
the same plastic bag that will be directly transferred to the Cedars.

Your big backpack (30 L maximum) containing your sleeping bag and mountain clothes and
equipment will be directly transferred from Batroun to the Cedars.

Participants who do not reach Mezyara (at 70 km in the cycling stage) before 3:00 pm will be
transferred by Bus to the Cedars.

Participants who reach the Cedars before 3:00 pm will start the trekking to Qornet el Sawda at 4:00
pm of the same day (this stage may be cancelled in case of very bad weather)

Participants who arrive after 3:00 pm to the Cedars will rest and wait until Sunday 3:00 am to do
the trekking stage.

VI.

FOREIGN PARTICIPANTS

ADPL will be so glad to welcome you this year and experience together enjoyable times
of sports, culture and discovery of Lebanons beautiful landscapes and its hidden gems.
As usual, the ADPL with the support of the Lebanese Army offers to all the foreigners the
transportation, accommodation and assistance for both events Polyathlon & PolyLiban.
This event is free of charge for foreign participants except for the Jersey (only 50,000 LBP
or 33$) Any additional donation for the Association du PolyLiban is welcome!
Arrival to Lebanon:

For those who are participating in the Polyathlon, you are kindly requested to arrive to Lebanon no
later than Thursday 15 September 2016 in the evening.
For those who are participating in the PolyLiban only, you are kindly requested to arrive to Lebanon
no later than Sunday 18 September 2016 in the morning.

Departure from Lebanon:

For those who are participating in the Polyathlon only it is recommended to leave Lebanon on
Monday 19 September 2016
For those who are participating in the Polyathlon and/or the PolyaLiban it is recommended to leave
Lebanon on Friday 23 September 2016

Accommodation before and after the events:

Depending on the number of foreign participants, the Association du PolyLiban will try to
ensure your accommodation for the first and last night in Lebanon.
For more information please do not hesitate to contact us on info@polyliban.org

VII.

SAFETY MEASURES

Most Important safety measures!

Always wear a HELMET during the cycling stage, no excuses allowed

Ride in the same direction as the flow of traffic, never on the opposite side
When riding with a group of cyclist:
1- Ride in a straight line
2- Avoid sudden stops
3- Never pass from the right
4- Use hand signs to alert the cyclists behind you
Stop at stop signs and red lights. Obey all traffic signals
Be aware of parked cars and watch for car doors that may open
Use proper hand signals when turning, stopping or changing lanes
DO NOT wear headphones and listen to music while riding
Give pedestrians the right of way
Wear bright clothing during the daytime
Adjust your seat height (a seat that is too high or too low might cause leg injury and make your ride
uncomfortable)
Write your name and blood type on your helmet

Other safety measures

Make sure you have the right gear

Make sure you wear clothing that is appropriate for cycling
You should be able to move freely without anything getting caught in your bike's chain or wheels
Wear light-colored or fluorescent clothing that helps other road users to see you in the dark
Wear reflective clothing and/or accessories (belt or arm/ankle bands) in the dark

Helmets

Helmets can help prevent a head injury or death in case of an accident

You should wear a helmet that:
- Is a snug fit and positioned squarely on your head - sitting just above your eyebrows, not tilted
back or tipped forwards
- Is securely fastened by straps, which aren't twisted, with only enough room for two fingers
between your chin and the strap
Make sure you replace your helmet every five years. Dont buy a second-hand helmet - it may be
damaged and not protect you properly.

Compulsory lights and reflectors

If you use your bike at night or when visibility is poor, you must fit a:
- White front light
- Red rear light
- Red rear reflector
- Reflectors fitted to the front and the spokes will also help you to be seen.
You can get lights that are steady or flashing or a mixture (steady at the front and flashing at the back). A
steady light at the front is important when you're cycling through areas without good street lighting.

Stay alert!
Dont listen to music or use a mobile phone while cycling distractions cause accidents

Hazards

Keep your eyes on the road ahead.

Avoid running over potholes, gravel, broken glass, drainage grates, puddles you cant see through,
or other unsafe road conditions.
Look over your shoulder to avoid swerving suddenly into traffic. When possible, signal before
changing lanes.

Obey Traffic Signs and Signals

Bicyclists must obey STOP signs and red signal lights.
Its a good idea to stop for yellow lights toorushing through a yellow light may not leave you enough time
to make it across the intersection before the light changes.

Clause excluding liability

The Association du PolyLiban and the Polyathlon/PolyLiban 2016 edition organizers
decline any responsibility for any injury, accident, loss of equipment, theft and or any other
damages caused prior, during and following the Polyathlon/PolyLiban events from Friday
16 September 2016 through Thursday 22 September 2016.
Personal Medical & Accidental insurance is MANDATORY to all participants, more
specifically to all foreign participant. The committee reserves the right to request proof of
the medical certificate or insurance.
Each and every participant must be conscious of any and all the risks taken during the
whole duration of the event, such as life, health and physical risks:

He/she is responsible to be in good health

He/she is aware of all consequence of any weather change and altitude effects on the human body

Organizers reserve the right to forbid any participant prior and/or during the event in
case signs of fatigue, physical and/or health problems appear; leading in a safety risk for
the individual and other participants.

The participant may and will be held responsible for all offences, damages caused by
himself to a third person or equipment lent during the event.
Each participant is responsible for any damages resulting from lack of respect to rules
and regulations or security measures during the different stages of the event. Each
participant must and will abide by the rules and regulations of road conduct.

Event organizers will not be held responsible for current state of roads.
All bicycles must comply with specific equipment requirements and a standard body like
structure. Supplying, such as water, bicycle repairs and further on, are completed on the
side of the road to avoid any accident.
A strict number of authorized cars and vehicles will follow all bikers
Personal non-authorized cars or vehicles are not allowed to follow any participant under any
circumstances as they may cause risks to their safety
The Participants are not allowed to use any vehicle of the Lebanese Army under any
circumstances, except for the escort bus

Be aware that during the trekking stage and camping on Qornet el Sawda, weather
conditions may be severe. The organizers will do a check-up on the clothes and
equipment of the participants to ensure their safety and security. Participants who do
not have proper mountain gear will not be allowed to complete the trekking stage.
While trekking, all participants agree to comply with any and all rules given by the
mountain guides and organizers.
The liability clauses apply to all the Association du PolyLiban members, organizers,
volunteers, and spectators.

VIII. DETAILED CYCLING ROUTES

Polyathlon des Cdres - Saturday 17 September 2016
Batroun to Cedars
Distance: 100 km / Elevation gain: 3900 m

Town

km

Kfarhata

14

Btorran

25

Bchennine

32

( )

39

Bnachei lake

40

Mazraat Jnaid

48

( )

59

66

( )

70

78

Batroun
Ras Nhash

Aarjes (Refueling)

Zgharteghrine
Behwaita
Mezyara (Lunch)
Ijbe'
Ehden (Refueling)

( )

82

93

Bcharreh

95

Cedars

100

Hadchit

PolyLiban des 4 Cols 2016 Cycling Route

Monday 19 September 2016

Tuesday 20 September 2016

Cedars to Deir El Ahmar

Distance: 95 km / Elevation gain: 1700 m
Town
Km

Deir El Ahmar to Mtein

Distance: 95 km / Elevation gain: 2600 m

Cedars

Ainata

24

Yammouneh

32

44

49

( )

56

65

Barqa

68

Town
DeirElAhmar
Chlifa
Boudai
HadathBaalbak
Faqra
Baskinta
Sannine
Mrouj

Nabha

77

Mtein

Chaat

81

Knaisseh

90

95

Dar Al Wassaah
Chlifa
Deir El Ahmar
Bechouat

Deir El Ahmar

Wednesday 21 September 2016

Mtein to Ain Zebdeh
Distance: 90 km / Elevation gain: 1700 m

Town
Mtein
Bzebdine
Qornayel
Jwar El Hawz
Kfarselwan
Zahle
Taanayel
Qab Elias
Ammiq
Aana
Joub Jannie
Saghbine
Ain Zebdeh

km

8
11
17
21
35
( )
44

52

km
0
7
12
22
( ) 54
64
73
86

90

Thursday 22 September 2016

Ain Zebdeh to Yarzeh
Distance: 85 km / Elevation gain: 2100 m
Town

Km
Ain Zebdeh
Kefraya
Shouf Reserve
Maasser El Shouf
Barouk
Ain Zhalta
Ramliye
Habramoun

18

26

35

44

52

56

59

63

Ain El Halazon

66
72
84
90

Bhamdoun

62

Bkhechtey

71

75

Bsous

78

Jamhour

81

85

Aley

Yarze

YOUR CHECK LIST

Polyathlon des Cdres 2015 Check-list
- Be ready to travel in semi or total autonomy
- Respect the principle the minimum is too much, and the lightest is too heavy!
SWIMMING AND RAFTING STAGES
Swimming suit
Goggles
Swimming cap colored
Towel
Sandals

Tuba (optional)
Headlamp (Rafting Stage)

CYLING STAGE
Bike helmet
1 K-way
2 extra bike tubes

1 cycling short
Cycling gloves
Bike tools kit

1 cycling jersey
2 water bottles

TREKKING & CAMPING

Hiking shoes
Polar jacket
1 t-shirt/base layer
2 pairs of socks
Buff

Backpack (15 L)
Trekking sticks
Thermal gloves
Sleeping bag (0C)
Beanie

1 Hiking pant
1 Water proof jacket
Sunglasses
Camping mattress
Leg warmers

OTHER
Backpack (30 L)
Hand gel & wipes
Slippers

Extra batteries
Personal medicines
Personal toilet kit Towel
Rescue blanket

PolyLiban des 4 Cols 2016 Check-list

- In addition to the Polyathlon equipment, the PolyLiban participants should have
1 trouser packable usable as a short
1 T-shirt
1 Swiss knife
3 cycling shorts
4 cycling jersey
Camera
Mobile phone and charger
1 pen
Notebook
Map of Lebanon
Garbage bags of 30 L
Personal pharmacy kit with anti-diarrhea, massage oil, Panadol, cream or spray anti- mosquito