The IHH Sky Race™ Sets New Malaysia Record with 7,797 Tower Runners at Merdeka 118
Malaysia’s tower-running scene reached a new milestone this August as The IHH Sky Race™ returned to Merdeka 118 with a record-breaking edition that attracted more than 8,000 participants from over 78 countries.
Held across 22 and 23 August 2026 at Menara Merdeka Maybank within the Merdeka 118 Precinct, the event challenged participants to conquer an incredible 118 floors and 2,845 steps inside Malaysia’s tallest building and the second tallest building in the world.
But beyond the physical challenge, this year’s edition made history by securing a new Malaysia Book of Records title for the Largest Participation in a Towerrunning Event, with 7,797 official finishers.
A New Milestone for Towerrunning in Malaysia
The latest edition of The IHH Sky Race™ represents a significant step forward for tower running in Malaysia.
The event previously made its mark in 2025 by setting two Malaysia Book of Records titles — the Highest Towerrunning Race at 503 metres and the Most Finishers in a Towerrunning Race/Event, with 5,602 finishers.
Just one year later, the organisers have raised the bar again.
This time, 7,797 participants successfully completed the challenging climb, making The IHH Sky Race™ the largest towerrunning event ever recorded in Malaysia.
The expanded two-day format played an important role in allowing more participants to experience the unique challenge, while also helping establish the event as one of the region’s most prominent vertical running competitions.
For Race Director Jeffrey Ross, the new record is a proud achievement and a reflection of the growing popularity of the event.
With participants arriving from more than 78 countries, The IHH Sky Race™ is also becoming an increasingly international sporting attraction for Kuala Lumpur.
2,845 Steps to the Top of Merdeka 118
For those taking part, the Malaysia Book of Records achievement was only part of the challenge.
The real test began at the bottom of Menara Merdeka Maybank.
Participants had to climb 2,845 steps across all 118 floors, turning the event into a serious test of cardiovascular fitness, endurance and mental strength.
Unlike traditional road races where participants can settle into a rhythm over a relatively flat course, tower running presents a completely different challenge.
Every floor requires another burst of effort, while the continuous climb means runners must carefully manage their pace and energy.
The Individual and Team of 3 categories attracted a diverse field, ranging from elite tower-running athletes and experienced fitness enthusiasts to first-time climbers, families, friends and corporate teams.
That diversity is one of the reasons The IHH Sky Race™ has developed into more than just a competitive race.
It has become an opportunity for people to challenge themselves and experience one of Kuala Lumpur’s most iconic landmarks from a completely different perspective.
Ryoji Watanabe Claims Men’s Victory
The men’s elite category produced another exciting battle at the top.
Japan’s Ryoji Watanabe emerged victorious after completing the climb in an impressive 15 minutes and 38 seconds.
His winning time came tantalisingly close to the existing course record of 15:37, set in 2025 by Malaysian tower-running champion Soh Wai Ching.
Soh finished second this year with a time of 15:48, while Australia’s Mark Bourne completed the podium in 16:33.
For Watanabe, the victory was particularly meaningful because Merdeka 118 offered a course unlike anything he had previously experienced.
Rather than simply celebrating his win, the Japanese athlete also expressed his intention to return next year and attempt to improve his performance.
Meanwhile, Soh Wai Ching remained determined to reclaim the top spot.
Although he was unable to defend his title, his 2025 course record remains intact, giving him another target for next year’s edition.
Tea Faber Sets New Women’s Course Record
The women’s category also delivered an outstanding performance.
Croatia’s Tea Faber claimed first place with a time of 18:07, setting a new women’s course record in the process.
Finland’s Laura Manninen finished second at 18:36, while Japan’s Yuko Tateishi secured third place with a time of 19:35.
Faber said she was pleased with how the race unfolded, particularly after managing to maintain a comfortable pace throughout the challenging climb.
With a new record under her belt, the champion is already looking forward to returning to Kuala Lumpur to defend her title next year.
More Than Just a Race
One of the most interesting aspects of The IHH Sky Race™ is how the event has evolved beyond the competition itself.
The event brings together elite athletes, recreational runners, families, corporate teams and international participants under one roof.
That makes the race accessible to people with very different fitness levels and sporting backgrounds.
The challenge of climbing 118 floors can be intimidating, but completing the course is ultimately about personal achievement as much as finishing position.
For many participants, reaching Level 118 represents months of preparation, discipline and determination.
The event therefore embodies the wider message of resilience, healthy living and community spirit.
IHH Healthcare Malaysia Strengthens Health Focus
This year also marked the beginning of a new three-year partnership between IHH Healthcare Malaysia and The IHH Sky Race™, with IHH Healthcare Malaysia serving as the event’s Title Partner and Official Medical Provider.
More than 200 IHH Healthcare Malaysia medical personnel were deployed throughout the event to support participants.
Their presence was particularly important given the physically demanding nature of tower running.
The partnership also reinforces the connection between sporting challenges and long-term health, encouraging participants to look beyond race day and consider healthier lifestyle choices as part of their everyday lives.
Meanwhile, main partner EBENE achieved its own Malaysia Book of Records title after 1,127 participants took part in its sports recovery session, earning the record for Most Participants in a Sports Recovery Session.
Kuala Lumpur as a Global Sports Tourism Destination
The IHH Sky Race™ is also helping position Kuala Lumpur as a destination for international sporting events.
With participants travelling from more than 78 countries, the race provides an opportunity to showcase Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia to an international audience.
The event has also received support from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), recognising its potential contribution to sports tourism and destination promotion.
Sanctioned by the Malaysian Towerrunning Association, The IHH Sky Race™ is now being positioned alongside internationally recognised tower-running events such as the Empire State Building Run-Up, Shanghai Tower International Vertical Marathon, Eiffel Tower Vertical Race and Taipei 101 Run Up.
The Sky Race Village Adds a Festival Atmosphere
The experience was not limited to the tower.
The Sky Race Village at Stadium Merdeka, which operated from 20 to 23 August, transformed the event into a wider lifestyle and entertainment experience.
Visitors could enjoy food and beverage offerings, interactive games, activities from Expo partners, arts and crafts and live music.
This festival-style approach helped attract not only participants but also families, spectators and members of the public.
It also demonstrates how modern sporting events can become broader lifestyle experiences rather than simply a race that begins and ends on the course.
A Bigger Future for The IHH Sky Race™
With 7,797 official finishers, international participation from more than 78 countries and another Malaysia Book of Records achievement, the 2026 edition of The IHH Sky Race™ has certainly raised expectations for future editions.
Merdeka 118 provides an extraordinary setting for tower running, while the combination of elite competition, community participation, health initiatives and entertainment gives the event a distinctive identity.
For now, the course records remain one of the biggest attractions heading into next year’s competition.
Ryoji Watanabe wants another opportunity to improve his time. Tea Faber hopes to return and defend her women’s title. Soh Wai Ching will undoubtedly have his eyes on the clock and the opportunity to reclaim the men’s crown.
One thing is already clear: The IHH Sky Race™ is no longer simply a tower-running race in Kuala Lumpur. It has become a major sporting event that puts Malaysia — and Merdeka 118 — firmly on the international towerrunning map.
For more information on The IHH Sky Race™, please visit www.theskyrace.com
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