{
  "id": 4551368,
  "title": "Malaysian tower-running world champ Soh Wai Ching powers up Penang Hill in under 26 minutes on Merdeka Day",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/malaysian-tower-running-world-champ-soh-wai-ching-powers-up-penang-4551368",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-31T02:39:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/31/malaysian-tower-running-world-champ-soh-wai-ching-powers-up-penang-hill-in-under-26-minutes-on-merdeka-day/233352"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, August 31 — Malaysian tower-running world champion Soh Wai Ching achieved another national record by completing Penang Hill’s 3km Heritage Trail in just 25 minutes and 55.25 seconds. This marked Soh’s fifth Malaysia Book of Records accomplishment this year, following his previous record for climbing Komtar’s 68 floors in seven minutes and two seconds. Soh, a 32-year-old athlete, admitted that the hot weather made the trail more challenging than he anticipated, but the support of his four friends at checkpoints provided motivation. Conditions were ideal with cloudy and cool weather, allowing Soh to improve upon his previous time of around 30 minutes and 34 seconds during regular training sessions. He attributed his success to peak fitness and encouragement received along the route. Soh, who has climbed Penang Hill between 20 and 30 times since 2016, expressed his desire to break the record again by training three times a week. He hopes his achievement will encourage more Malaysians and tourists to explore Penang Hill as an alternative to the funicular railway, emphasizing the responsibility of bringing glory to the country.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 — Malaysian tower-running world champion Soh Wai Ching has made it two national records in ju...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Malaysian tower-running world champ Soh Wai Ching powers up Penang Hill in under 26 minutes on Merdeka Day",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/malaysian-tower-running-world-champ-soh-wai-ching-powers-up-penang",
        "published": "2026-08-31T02:39:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}