Kuala Lumpur once again proved its growing stature in the international sports tourism scene as the Turkish Airlines Kuala Lumpur Tower Run International Challenge 2025 – National Championship (KLTRIC 2025) concluded in spectacular fashion on 30 November 2025.
Held at the iconic Kuala Lumpur Tower, the vertical race brought together 2,000 runners from 30 countries, all battling through the tower’s demanding 1,608-step vertical ascent.
This year’s edition saw an exceptional surge in global participation, with athletes flying in from Japan, China, Turkey, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the United States, among others.
Their presence further cemented Kuala Lumpur Tower’s reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s premier destinations for vertical racing and athletic tourism.
Carrying the powerful theme “Victory is Vertical,” KLTRIC 2025 reflected Malaysia’s rising prominence on the international towerrunning circuit while aligning strategically with the nation’s ambitions for Visit Malaysia 2026.
The event not only celebrated endurance and athletic excellence but also highlighted the country’s ability to host world-class sporting events.
A Proud Landmark for Malaysia’s Sports Heritage
According to Khairil Faizal Hj Othman, Chief Executive Officer of LSH Service Master Sdn. Bhd., KLTRIC 2025 represented a defining chapter in Malaysia’s sporting journey.
“This is a proud moment for Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur Tower is not only an architectural icon — it is now a recognised arena for world-class vertical sports. The participation of runners from across Asia, Europe, Australia and the United States reflects the strong confidence international athletes have in our event,”.
He further added that KLTRIC 2025 successfully showcased how sports tourism can bring the world to Kuala Lumpur, reaffirming the organisers’ commitment to elevating the competition into one of Asia’s most prestigious vertical races.
Elite Line-Up and World-Class Competition
KLTRIC 2025 featured a powerful elite field led by World No. 1 towerrunner Soh Wai Ching, alongside Guinness World Records holder Michele Tan Bee Kiang, as well as top international athletes competing for valuable Towerrunning World Association (TWA) ranking points.
True to expectations, the elite battle delivered an electrifying showdown. Soh Wai Ching once again proved his dominance on home soil by clinching the Overall Men’s Champion title, reinforcing his status as one of the world’s fastest vertical runners. His performance drew loud cheers from the local crowd and international spectators alike.
In the women’s elite category, international competitors demonstrated equally impressive resilience, highlighting the growing competitiveness of the global towerrunning scene. The presence of world-ranked athletes turned KLTRIC 2025 into more than just a national championship — it became a true international sporting spectacle.
| Kategori | Juara / Pemenang Teratas – Top 3* | Masa / Catatan |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Open | 1st — Soh Wai Ching (Malaysia) 2nd — Muhammad Hazim Zuhairi Bin Azahari 3rd — Ching Chun Lo | 08:11.404 09:09.763 09:11.725 |
| Women’s Open | 1st — Tea Faber (Croatia) 2nd — Klaudia Krajewska 3rd — Li Tsz Yau | 10:10.970 11:17.262 11:38.100 |
| Men’s Veteran | 1st — Emanuele Manzi (Italy) 2nd — Jeff 3rd — Geoffrey Birgen | 09:45.888 09:57.622 11:04.328 |
| Women’s Veteran | 1st — Valentina Belotti (Italy) 2nd — Jane Wanjiru Muriuki 3rd — Serene Cheong | 10:44.916 11:53.955 12:28.498 |
| Boys / Youth (Male) | 1st — Muhammad Adam Amjad Bin Mohd Azizul (Malaysia) 2nd — Muhd Haziq Bin Mohd Hairol Izmi 3rd — Muhd Harrrith Hazim Bin Mohd Hairol Izmi | 10:09.708 10:38.678 10:51.701 |
| Girls / Youth (Female) | 1st — Raisya Adelea Binti Rohazam (Malaysia) 2nd — Adele Manzi 3rd — Helena Sailer | 12:53.304 13:09.090 15:06.621 |
Source : (runwitme.blogspot.com)
Bigger Stakes, Greater Rewards
Athletes competed fiercely across multiple categories including Elite, Open, Veteran, and Youth, all pushing their physical limits for a share of the RM80,000 total cash prize pool — one of the largest prize pools for a vertical race in the region.
Adding prestige to the challenge, the top 20 finishers in each category received the exclusive Official Finisher Jersey, symbolising not only athletic achievement but also the indomitable spirit behind the “Victory is Vertical” campaign.
KLTRIC 2025 was officially held as Malaysia’s National Championship for vertical running, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth & Sports (KBS) and the Malaysia Towerrunning Association (MTA), marking another crucial step in institutional support for vertical sports in the country.
Strong Partnerships Power a World-Class Event
The success of KLTRIC 2025 was driven by extensive collaborations across public and private sectors. Key partners included:
- Ministry of Youth & Sports (KBS)
- Rakan Muda
- Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL)
- Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (BOMBA)
- Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM)
- Tourism Malaysia (Visit Malaysia 2026)
- Malaysia Towerrunning Association (MTA)
Turkish Airlines served as the Title Sponsor, while JomRun supported as the Strategic Partner. A strong list of lifestyle, beverage, hospitality and entertainment brands also contributed, including Spritzer, 100Plus, Nestlé MILO, Adabi, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, ORBIT Revolving Dining,
SuperPark Malaysia, KL Hop On Hop Off, Village Grocer, ibis Kuala Lumpur City Centre, citizenM, Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur, and many more.
These collective efforts transformed KLTRIC 2025 into a seamless, safe and vibrant sporting festival, reinforcing Kuala Lumpur Tower’s status as the home of world-class vertical challenges in Malaysia.
KLTRIC 2026 Set for 14 June 2026
Building on the momentum of this historic edition, organisers have officially confirmed that KLTRIC 2026 will take place on 14 June 2026, once again at Kuala Lumpur Tower. The timing aligns strategically with the Visit Malaysia 2026 initiative, positioning KLTRIC as a key sports tourism driver for the nation.
With international attention growing year by year, the event is set to play a crucial role in attracting elite athletes, adventure sports enthusiasts and international visitors to Malaysia.
“Our long-term vision is clear — to grow KLTRIC into one of Asia’s leading vertical races, and ultimately a global championship-level event. The extraordinary turnout this year shows that Malaysia is more than ready for that next leap,”.
For official results and updates on KLTRIC 2026, the public can visit www.kltower.com or contact +603-2630 3033.
Keywords :
- KLTRIC 2025
- Turkish Airlines Kuala Lumpur Tower Run
- Kuala Lumpur Tower Run 2025
- Vertical Run Malaysia
- Towerrunning Malaysia
- Soh Wai Ching Tower Run
- Visit Malaysia 2026 sports tourism
- KL Tower sports event
- Malaysia national towerrunning championship
- KLTRIC 2026
