From Sea Level to 3,088 Metres: 12 Visually Impaired Athletes Take on Lebanon’s Highest Peak in a 68.5 km Journey

68.5 kilometers. Two days. One shared belief: Vision is Limitless.

BEIRUT, LEBANON — On 24 and 25 October 2026, Lebanese nonprofit Blind With Vision completed Sea to Summit, a two-day journey from Pelora Beach in Chekka to Qornet El Sawda, Lebanon’s highest peak at 3,088 metres. The initiative was planned for 12 blind and visually impaired athletes; 11 reached the summit, while one was unable to participate after not receiving medical clearance.

More than 32 guides, volunteers and crew supported the athletes along the 68.5-kilometre route across North Lebanon.

68.5 Kilometres of Trust and Teamwork

Starting before sunrise on Saturday, 24 October, the challenge unfolded as a relay, with athletes and sighted guides navigating coastal roads, villages, steep climbs and rocky terrain. Day 1 covered 56.9 km: a 46.4 km relay across 12 legs, followed by another 10.5 km to Dahr El Qadib. On Sunday, the final 11.6 km ascent began at 6:33 a.m. The team reached the summit at 10:50 a.m., with 29 athletes, guides and team members gathering at the top.

Throughout the route, the athletes relied on communication and trust with their guides, while the operations team coordinated checkpoints, transport, radio communications and safety.

Breaking Stereotypes, One Step at a Time

Held during October’s visual impairment awareness month, Sea to Summit sought to challenge stereotypes and expand access to sport and outdoor adventure.

“Sea to Summit is not about getting to the summit but breaking the stereotype that a blind person should stay at home.”

— Rabih, participating athlete

“As someone with a visual impairment, I have always dreamed of a world where everyone, including blind and visually impaired people, has the right to move, walk and run. Seeing Sea to Summit succeed has opened a beautiful new door for me.”

— Rebecca Samarani, participating athlete (excerpt)

“Today we did not just reach the top of a mountain; we reached the summit of a dream we carried in our hearts. This summit is not the end of the dream, but the beginning of more beautiful stories and other peaks waiting for us.”

— Dania Barbour, participating athlete (translated excerpt)

From One Marathon Finish Line to Lebanon’s Highest Peak

Blind With Vision began in 2017 when Mary Kleyany and visually impaired runner Rabih crossed the Beirut Marathon finish line together, connected by a guiding tether. That experience grew into a community making sport and adventure more accessible to people with visual impairments.

“When we started Blind With Vision, our goal was to give people with visual impairments the opportunity to experience the freedom, confidence and independence that sport can bring. Seeing our athletes standing together at the highest point in Lebanon reminds us why we started and why we must keep going.”

— Mary Kleyany, Founder and President, Blind With Vision (proposed quotation; pending approval)

A Collective Achievement

Guides, volunteers, drivers, coordinators and supporters made the journey possible, with assistance from the Lebanese Army during the mountain descent. Sea to Summit was supported by Noknok, Coral, Cedarzing, Comin, Pepsi, Aquafina, Lakkis Farm, Restore, TAQA, ProSetup and Rise & Raise, in collaboration with Life Happens Outdoors.

For Blind With Vision, reaching Qornet El Sawda is another step toward creating opportunities for people with visual impairments to participate in sport, experience the outdoors and pursue ambitious goals. This is just the beginning. Vision is Limitless.

About Blind With Vision

Founded in Lebanon in 2017, Blind With Vision is a nonprofit organisation empowering blind and visually impaired people through running, hiking and outdoor adventures, promoting inclusion, confidence, independence and equal opportunity.

Media Contact

Mary Kleyany  |  Founder & President, Blind With Vision
Phone: +961 3 903 473
Email: mary@blindwithvision.com
Website: www.blindwithvision.com
Instagram: @blind.with.vision