Malaysia Hosts First-Ever International Towerrunning Event at Merdeka 118

Malaysia has made history by hosting its first major international towerrunning event on the Towerrunning World Association (TWA) circuit. The 3rd Towerrunning Asian & Oceanian Championships 2025, locally branded as The Sky Race at Merdeka 118, took place during the Merdeka Day weekend in Kuala Lumpur.

The event was held at the iconic Merdeka 118, the world’s second-tallest building, located near the historic site where Tunku Abdul Rahman declared Malaysia’s independence on 31 August 1957. Over 5,800 participants from 70 countries registered to take on the challenge of climbing 2,845 steps to Level 118 of the tower. 

A Historic Milestone for Malaysia
The Sky Race at Merdeka 118 achieved a double entry in the Malaysia Book of Records:
- Highest Towerrunning Race at 503 metres
- Most Finishers in a Towerrunning Race with 5,700 participants

The ceremonial flag-off was graced by Malaysia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Hannah Yeoh, alongside Dato' Tengku Ab Aziz bin Tengku Mahmud, Chief Executive Officer of PNB Merdeka Ventures.

Jeffrey Ross, Managing Director of Fresh Events Asia and Race Director, shared that the event has elevated Malaysia’s profile in the global sporting scene. He highlighted how The Sky Race now stands alongside other world-famous tower races such as the Empire State Building Run-Up, Shanghai Tower International Vertical Marathon, Eiffel Tower Vertical Race, and Taipei 101 Run.

International Podium Wins
The championships saw intense competition among elite runners. Malaysian tower runner Soh Wai Ching emerged as the men’s Asian & Oceanian Champion with a winning time of 15:37. He was followed by Australia’s Mark Bourne at 15:56 and Taiwan’s Lo Ching Chun at 16:46.

In the women’s category, Yuko Tateishi from Japan claimed victory with a time of 19:59, ahead of Le Qinghua from China at 20:20 and Taiwan’s Chao Jui Chuan at 21:32.

For Soh Wai Ching, the win carried special meaning. He described it as a proud moment for Malaysia, symbolising the nation’s growing recognition as a premier destination for vertical running and sporting tourism.

A Race for All
The Sky Race welcomed participants across six categories: Open (18+), Junior Veteran (40–49), Veteran (50–59), Senior Veteran (60+), Juniors (13–17), and Team divisions for men, women, and mixed groups. Notably, 74% of participants were first-time tower runners, reflecting the sport’s growing appeal and accessibility.

 Festival Atmosphere at Merdeka 118

Beyond the race, the event delivered a vibrant festival experience at the Race Village located at Stadium Merdeka’s concourse. Participants and spectators enjoyed food and beverage stalls, interactive games, an expo, arts and crafts, and live music.

 The event was supported by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026. Additional partners included Beyond Massage (Official Recovery Partner), Terra Green Malaysia (Official ESG Partner), Joy Orchid Studio (Official Florist Partner), Primedic (Official AED Supplier), as well as Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB) and Oligo as Supporting Partners.

Showcasing Malaysia on the Global Stage

According to Dato’ Tengku Ab Aziz Tengku Mahmud, CEO of PNB Merdeka Ventures, The Sky Race at Merdeka 118 was more than just a competition. It served as a celebration of endurance, national pride, and Malaysia’s ambition to position itself on the world sporting map.

With its breathtaking skyline views, historic significance, and record-breaking participation, The Sky Race at Merdeka 118 has firmly established Malaysia as a key destination for international towerrunning events.

For more details on next year's race, visit https://theskyrace.com.