AdminThe IHH Sky Race™ returned to Kuala Lumpur with an expanded two-day format on Aug 22 and 23, attracting more than 8,000 participants from over 78 countries to Malaysia’s tallest building.
Held at Menara Merdeka Maybank in the Merdeka 118 Precinct, the race challenged participants to conquer 2,845 steps across all 118 floors of the 678.9-metre tower.
The 2026 edition also marked the start of a three-year partnership with IHH Healthcare Malaysia as Title Partner and Official Medical Provider, strengthening the event’s focus on health and participant safety.
Record participation highlights growing global appeal
The event set a new Malaysia Book of Records title for Largest Participation in a Towerrunning Event, with 7,797 finishers. It builds on two records established during the 2025 edition for the Highest Towerrunning Race at 503 metres and Most Finishers in a Towerrunning Race/Event, with 5,602 finishers.
Main Partner EBENE also secured a Malaysia Book of Records title for Most Participants in a Sports Recovery Session, involving 1,127 participants.
Race Director Jeffrey Ross said the expanded format had exceeded expectations and demonstrated the event’s growing regional significance.
“This year’s expanded two-day format allowed us to welcome more participants than ever before,” he said.
More than 200 IHH Healthcare Malaysia medical personnel supported participants throughout the event.
IHH Healthcare Malaysia CEO Dr Kamal Amzan said the weekend highlighted the importance of sustained preparation and healthy choices.
International athletes battle for tower-racing honours
Japan’s Ryoji Watanabe won the men’s category in 15:38, narrowly missing Malaysian tower-running champion Soh Wai Ching’s 2025 course record of 15:37. Soh finished second in 15:48, while Australia’s Mark Bourne took third in 16:33.
Croatia’s Tea Faber won the women’s category in 18:07, setting a new women’s course record. Finland’s Laura Manninen finished second in 18:36, followed by Japan’s Yuko Tateishi in 19:35.
Watanabe said the unfamiliar course took time to understand but expressed his intention to return next year.
Soh, meanwhile, said he hoped to return and improve his time, while Faber said she would like to defend her title next year.
The event featured Individual and Team of 3 categories, attracting elite athletes, fitness enthusiasts, families, first-time climbers and corporate teams.
Supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, the race also contributed to Malaysia’s sports tourism ambitions. Sanctioned by the Malaysian Towerrunning Association, it places Kuala Lumpur alongside major international tower-running events.
Beyond the race, the Sky Race Village at Stadium Merdeka offered food, games, arts and crafts, exhibitions and live entertainment from Aug 20 to 23, extending the event into a wider festival experience.
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