KLTRIC2026 Celebrates 24th Edition with New Sky Garden Finish at Kuala Lumpur Tower
The Turkish Airlines Kuala Lumpur Tower Run International Challenge 2026 (KLTRIC2026) returned on 20 September 2026, bringing together tower runners from around the world for its 24th edition.
This year’s event was especially meaningful as Kuala Lumpur Tower celebrates its 30th Anniversary. Held in support of Visit Malaysia 2026, KLTRIC2026 once again combined sport, endurance and tourism, welcoming participants from 37 countries to one of Malaysia’s most recognisable landmarks.
With a new finishing point at Sky Garden, 292 metres above ground, this year’s race added a fresh dimension to the iconic tower-running challenge while retaining the 1,608-step climb that has made KLTRIC a major fixture on the international towerrunning calendar.
1,608 Steps to the New Sky Garden Finish
For participants, KLTRIC2026 was all about one thing: conquering 1,608 steps inside Kuala Lumpur Tower.
Unlike conventional road races, tower running presents a unique physical challenge. Instead of covering kilometres on relatively flat roads, participants must push themselves upwards, step by step, while managing their energy and endurance.
This year, however, the challenge came with a new reward.
Runners finished at Sky Garden, Kuala Lumpur Tower’s newest attraction located 292 metres above ground. The new finishing location provided an elevated setting for elite athletes competing for podium positions as well as recreational runners chasing their own personal milestones.
The introduction of Sky Garden also reflects Kuala Lumpur Tower’s efforts to refresh the KLTRIC experience while preserving the vertical challenge that has defined the event for more than two decades.
A Global Tower Running Community
KLTRIC2026 attracted participants from 37 countries, reinforcing the international appeal of the Kuala Lumpur Tower Run.
The event has developed into an annual highlight for the global towerrunning community, bringing together experienced competitors, returning participants and first-time runners.
For many international participants, the event also offered more than just a sporting challenge.
As KLTRIC2026 was organised in support of Visit Malaysia 2026, the race provided an opportunity for runners and their accompanying supporters to discover Kuala Lumpur and experience Malaysia beyond the competition.
From the city’s attractions and cultural experiences to its food, hospitality and vibrant urban environment, the event connected international sport with destination discovery.
For overseas runners, completing 1,608 steps at Kuala Lumpur Tower could therefore become part of a much bigger Malaysian travel experience.
Celebrating 30 Years of Kuala Lumpur Tower
The 2026 edition carries additional significance as Kuala Lumpur Tower celebrates its 30th Anniversary.
Over the years, the tower has become one of Kuala Lumpur’s most recognisable landmarks and a popular destination for both local and international visitors.
KLTRIC has also become part of the Tower’s history, with this year’s event marking its 24th edition.
Khairil Faizal Hj Othman, Chief Executive Officer of LSH Service Master Sdn. Bhd., highlighted the importance of the event’s long-running history while noting the introduction of the new Sky Garden finish.
According to him, the 24th edition reflects KLTRIC’s longstanding place in Kuala Lumpur Tower’s history, while the new finish adds a fresh dimension to an established challenge.
International Champions Take the Podium
The competitive field delivered impressive performances across the different categories.
In the Men Open category, Poland’s Piotr Łobodziński took first place with a time of 08:07.972. Malaysia’s Soh Wai Ching finished second in 08:35.052, while China’s Jiandong Xue claimed third place with 09:21.494.
The Women Open title went to Croatia’s Tea Faber, who completed the climb in 10:08.062. Japan’s Yuko Tateishi finished second at 11:09.508, followed by Hong Kong’s Li Tsz Yau in 12:14.233.
The Men Veteran category saw Australia’s Mark Bourne take first place with 09:21.532, ahead of Kenya’s Samson Karega Kamau and New Zealand’s Chris Dufton.
In the Women Veteran category, Singapore’s Serene Cheong claimed the top position with 12:45.394, followed by Malaysia’s Michele Tan Bee Kiang and Singapore’s TAN SEOW CHER.
The younger generation also made their mark. Malaysia’s Muhammad Adam Amjad Bin Mohd Azizul won the Boys category in 09:29.715, while Rhea Assyifa Binti Rohazam claimed first place in the Girls category with 12:59.045.
Strong Support from Partners
KLTRIC2026 was officially flagged off by representatives including Tan Sri Datuk Seri Lim Keng Cheng, Chairman of Lim Seong Hai Capital Berhad; Khairil Faizal Hj Othman, Chief Executive Officer of LSH Service Master Sdn. Bhd.; Mustafa Kemal Kizilay, General Manager of Turkish Airlines Malaysia; and Shazman Shahid, Head of Group Corporate Communications & Marketing, AmBank Group.
Turkish Airlines returned as the Title Sponsor for the fifth consecutive year, continuing its support for the event and the development of towerrunning.
This year also saw AmBank joining the event for the first time as the Official Banking Partner.
Support from the Towerrunning World Association (TWA), Malaysia Towerrunning Association (MTA), government agencies, sponsors, tourism attractions and hospitality partners also contributed to the success of KLTRIC2026.
More Than Just a Tower Race
With 24 editions completed and Kuala Lumpur Tower celebrating three decades, KLTRIC2026 demonstrated how a sporting event can continue evolving while maintaining its identity.
The introduction of the Sky Garden finish gave participants a new destination at the top of their 1,608-step journey, while the international participation highlighted Kuala Lumpur’s ability to bring together sport, tourism and cultural discovery.
As Malaysia continues to welcome international visitors during Visit Malaysia 2026, events such as KLTRIC provide another way to experience the country — one step at a time.
For tower runners, the challenge remains simple but demanding: 1,608 steps to the top.
For everyone involved, KLTRIC2026 was another memorable chapter in the history of Kuala Lumpur Tower.
Keyword:
- KLTRIC2026
- Turkish Airlines KL Tower Run 2026,
- Kuala Lumpur Tower Run,
- KL Tower Run 2026, tower running Malaysia,
- Kuala Lumpur Tower 30th anniversary,
- Sky Garden Kuala Lumpur Tower,
- Visit Malaysia 2026
