Record-breaking crowds storm Menara Merdeka 118 for IHH Sky Race

KUALA LUMPUR, August 24 — More than 8,000 athletes surged up the 118 floors of Menara Merdeka 118 during the weekend's IHH Sky Race, marking the event's second annual appearance as Malaysia's top tower running competition. Spanning two days, the event saw participants hail from 78 countries and solidified its place in the Malaysia Book of Records for the largest participation in a tower running event, with 7,797 finishers.

The men's category was particularly competitive, with Japanese runner Ryoji Watanabe emerging victorious at 15 minutes and 38 seconds, just one second shy of breaking the 2025 course record. Soh Wai Ching placed second at 15 minutes and 48 seconds, while Australian Mark Bourne rounded out the top three at 16 minutes and 33 seconds.

Watanabe expressed his disappointment that his rival Soh Wai Ching wasn't at her best, viewing her as his main competition. Despite the loss, Soh's record stood tall, with the runner-up expressing satisfaction that his performance would ensure his course record from the previous year remained unbeaten. Croatian runner Tea Faber shattered the Women's Open record, finishing in 18 minutes and 7 seconds.

Local youth also made waves, with 14-year-old Adam Amjad setting a new Junior Boy record and 12-year-old Rhea Assyifa Rosli crushing the Junior Girl record. The race's expanded two-day format proved a hit, accommodating more participants than ever before, and the event transformed Stadium Merdeka into a Sky Race Village, offering a festival atmosphere complete with live music, games, and food stalls.

The Malaysian Towerrunning Association sanctioned the event, powered by IHH Healthcare Malaysia as title partner, with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, EBENE, and Oligo.