The IHH Sky Race™ 2026 at Merdeka 118: Here's What You Need to Know

Malaysia's biggest tower-climbing event is back, and it's going bigger. Fresh Events Asia has confirmed that The IHH Sky Race™ | Merdeka 118 will take place on 22 and 23 August 2026, with IHH Healthcare Malaysia stepping in as the event's new Title Partner for the next three years.

If you've ever wanted to climb to the top of the world's second-tallest building, this is your chance — and this year, there's room for up to 9,000 participants across two days.

What Is The IHH Sky Race™?

Unlike a typical road race, The Sky Race™ takes participants up, not forward. Racers climb 118 floors and 2,845 steps inside Merdeka 118 — Malaysia's tallest building — finishing at Level 118 before taking the lift back down.

It's a bucket-list challenge that blends fitness, endurance, and one of the best views Kuala Lumpur has to offer, all packed into a single vertical sprint.

Following a hugely successful first edition, the 2026 race expands into a two-day format, opening the door for more climbers than ever to take on the challenge.

A New Title Partner: IHH Healthcare Malaysia

The biggest news this year is IHH Healthcare Malaysia coming on board as Title Partner through 2029. As one of the world's leading integrated healthcare providers, IHH's involvement goes beyond branding — the partnership will bring:

- Community engagement initiatives
- Health and wellness programmes
- Pre-event activations
- On-site medical services during race weekend

Dr Kamal Amzan, CEO of IHH Healthcare Malaysia, summed up the partnership's purpose simply: good health starts long before anyone needs a hospital, built through everyday choices like staying active. The Sky Race™, he noted, is a reminder that progress happens one step at a time — and that better health, like a great climb, begins with the first step.

Jeffrey Ross, Managing Director of Fresh Events Asia and Race Director of The IHH Sky Race™, echoed that momentum, pointing to the event's rapid rise into one of Malaysia's most anticipated mass-participation sporting events since its debut.

Who Can Join?

The Sky Race™ is designed to welcome everyone from elite athletes to first-time stair climbers. Participants can register in one of two categories:

- Individual Category — race solo, at your own pace
- Team of 3 Category — take on the climb with friends, family, or colleagues

Every participant completes the full 118-floor climb before descending by lift — no shortcuts, just 2,845 steps of pure determination.

Supporting the Event

The 2026 edition is backed by a growing lineup of partners, including EBENE as Main Partner and Oligo as Supporting Partner. The race also carries official recognition from:

- Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, for its contribution to sports tourism and destination promotion
- Malaysian Towerrunning Association (MTA), as the event's official sanctioning body

Putting Kuala Lumpur on the Global Tower-Running Map

With each edition, The IHH Sky Race™ | Merdeka 118 pushes closer to its goal of becoming one of the world's premier tower-running events — joining the ranks of iconic climbs like the Empire State Building Run-Up, Shanghai Tower International Vertical Marathon, Eiffel Tower Vertical Race, and Taipei 101 Run Up.

For Kuala Lumpur, that means more than just a race — it's a growing reputation as a destination for world-class sports tourism.

How to Register

Spots for The IHH Sky Race™ | Merdeka 118 are limited, and with 9,000 places across two race days, this event tends to fill up fast. Currently Saturday slots are sold out but new single slots have been added to Sunday's event, after the team event. 

👉 Register now at www.theskyrace.com

Whether you're chasing a personal best, ticking off a bucket-list challenge, or rallying your squad for a Team of 3 climb, 22–23 August 2026 is the date to mark on your calendar. See you at Level 118.