First Ultra Trail Des Cedres in Lebanon declared a success

July 12, 2019

Maxime Chaya and runners at the finishing line - many competed from all over the world Photo credit: UTC and Maxime Chaya

Beirut-based Midis Group were one of the principle sponsors of the first Ultra Trail des Cèdres which took place on July 7, 2019. The event drew 200 trail runners from close to a dozen countries, who competed at three distances ranging from 25 to 75 kilometers and with hefty elevation gains of 1,311m to 3,274m, all inside the beautiful Shouf Cedar Reserve.

Runners were welcomed from Canada, Colombia, Egypt , France, Jordan, Lebanon, New Zealand, UK, USA, Switzerland and Morocco from where the 10 times champion of Marathon Des Sables, Lahcen Ahancal, came to take part as special guest of race organizer Maxime Chaya.

Maxime Chaya waits at the finishing line with the Midis Group logo in the background

Main sponsors of the 2019 first edition of the Ultra Trail Des Cedre were Al Mawarid Bank, Dar al Handasah, Midis Group and Alfa.

“Maxime Chaya has long been a friend of the Midis Group,” said Katia Harfouche of Midis Group. “Over the last decade and mostly during our biennial conferences, he has thrilled Midis members and partners with tales of his adventures. Besides being our national champion, he is an inspiring and challenging person. The sponsoring of Maxime has always surpassed the group’s expectations.”

Runners from many nations took part. UTC has now been confirmed as one of the Ultra Trail championship rounds.

Winners of this year’s Ultra Trail Des Cedre were:

UTC75 Men overall: Mohamad Al Nawasirat (JORDAN) 7h 59m 54s (course record).

UTC75 Women overall: Nayla Cortas (LEBANON) 11h 33m 52s (course record).

This being the first Ultra Trail on the Shouf Biosphere site, these are the current standing course records. The addition of Lebanon as a new member of the World Ultra Trail Circuit has now confirmed, following the success of this, the first edition of Ultra Trail des Cedres.

UTC organizer Maxime Chaya, trail master Ali Kedami, the Red Cross and the Shouf Cedar Reserve all worked hand-in-hand to deliver the event to the highest standards.

Main sponsors of the 2019 first edition of the Ultra Trail Des Cedre were Al Mawarid Bank, Dar al Handasah, Midis Group and Alfa.

Have a look on Maxime’s Facebook page at the 2019 UTC promo film: https://www.facebook.com/maxfans/videos/488981541674078/

For further information about the race and to see the results in full, go to the Ultra Trail Des Cedre website.