Landmark event attracts 5,800 participants from 70 countries, positioning Malaysia as a global hub for tower running and sports tourism
Malaysia made history this Merdeka Day weekend by hosting the Sky Race™ at Merdeka 118, the nation’s first major international tower running event under the Towerrunning World Association (TWA) circuit. Staged at the world’s second-tallest building, the race drew more than 5,800 participants from 70 countries, who took on the gruelling 2,845-step climb to Level 118.
The event set two Malaysia Book of Records achievements: the Highest Towerrunning Race at 503 metres and the Most Finishers in a Towerrunning Event with 5,700 participants.
Officiated by Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh and Dato’ Tengku Ab Aziz bin Tengku Mahmud, CEO of PNB Merdeka Ventures, the race also crowned winners in the Asian & Oceanian Championships 2025. Malaysia’s own Soh Wai Ching clinched the men’s title in 15:37, with Australia’s Mark Bourne second (15:56) and Taiwan’s Lo Ching Chun third (16:46). Japan’s Yuko Tateishi won the women’s race in 19:59, followed by Le Qinghua of the People’s Republic of China (20:20) and Taiwan’s Chao Jui Chuan (21:32).
“The Sky Race™ at Merdeka 118 marks a significant milestone for Malaysia’s sporting landscape,” said Jeffrey Ross, Managing Director of Fresh Events Asia and Race Director. “This event has captured international attention, positioning Malaysia alongside legendary tower runs such as the Empire State Building Run-Up, the Eiffel Tower Vertical Race, and the Shanghai Tower International Marathon.”
Festival Atmosphere Beyond the Race
The event extended beyond the race itself, with the Race Village at Stadium Merdeka offering a lively festival atmosphere complete with food and beverage stalls, interactive games, arts and crafts, an expo, and live music throughout the day. It was also supported by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, and by Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).
Partners including Beyond Massage, Terra Green Malaysia, Joy Orchid Studio, Primedic, Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB), and Oligo further enriched the experience for participants and spectators alike.
For Malaysian champion Soh Wai Ching, the event carried symbolic meaning:
“Winning on our National Day weekend represents Malaysia’s emergence as a world-class destination for vertical running. Standing atop Level 118, I felt immense pride that we showcased both our sporting talent and our national spirit.”
With its record-setting debut, the Sky Race™ at Merdeka 118 has not only established Malaysia as a global tower running destination but also showcased the country’s potential to host world-class sporting events that combine endurance, community, and cultural pride.
For more details, visit www.theskyrace.com.
