From left: Michelle, Khairil holding Michelle’s Guinness Record certificate, Soh and Pearl at the press conference promoting Kuala Lumpur Tower Run International Challenge 2025.
A total of 1,500 participants from 15 countries will be taking part in Kuala Lumpur Tower Run International Challenge (KLTRIC) on Nov 30.
Among them will be the elites in the world of towerruning, alongside local emergency services personnel challenging their fitness.
The finish line for the event is the Sky Deck of the world’s seventh-tallest communications tower, reached via 1,608 stair steps (or 292m).
The event offers RM80,000 in total cash prizes, according to a pre-event press conference organised by LSH Service Master (LSHSM), operator of KL Tower.
Present at the media session were world No.1 men and women tower runners Soh Wai Ching and Michelle Tan.
Tan achieved a Guinness World Records entry for the fastest vertical mile stair climbing (female) in one hour and 33 minutes at KL Tower on Feb 28.
Tan’s husband, Nithianandan Rajasingham, who is blind, shared his experience taking part in the challenge 10 years ago when there was a category for the disabled.
“It was a lot of fun. Back then, the race started at the foot of the hill.
“My wife finished first but she came back down to join me.
“Going up the stairs with her was an experience, she was like a drill sergeant.
KL Tower, the world’s seventh-tallest communications tower, will host runners scaling 292m in elevation on Nov 30. — Filepic
“That was how I managed to finish seventh,” he said.
Tan, speaking about her towerrun training, said she included endurance, speed and strength workouts.
“The difference between running up stairs and running in the park is that you are surrounded by walls and all you see is cement, unlike in a park where there are trees and greenery.
“It’s a lot of mental resilience.”
A great deal of hard work is involved, said Soh, but there remained huge untapped potential in tower running.
Stating that he had been fortunate in getting sponsorships to travel around the world for competitions, Soh said this was an encouraging sign and such sponsorships could help pull in new talent.
Meanwhile, Fire and Rescue Department personnel expressed interest to take part in the race.
Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Yusri Basri pointed out that every fire station had a tower that all firemen had to run up.
These towers are about four to five storeys high, he said.
“Naturally, we’ll have a few members who are into towerrunning.”
LSHSM chief executive officer Khairil Faizal Othman said, “For over two decades, the Kuala Lumpur Tower Run has been more than just a competition; it has been a celebration of human strength, resilience and the will to rise.
“To all the runners preparing for the challenge, whether you’re chasing a personal best or simply testing your limits, remember that every step counts, every breath matters and every finish is a victory.”
Also present at the event were LSHSM non-executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Keng Cheng, Turkish Airlines Malaysia general manager Mustafa Kemal Kizilay, Tourism Malaysia central region director Sufian Zainuddin, JomRun co-founder and chief operating officer Pearl Tan and Dang Wangi police chief Asst Comm Sazalee Adam.
KLTRIC 2025, or its official name Malaysia Towerrunning National Championship, features six categories – Men’s and Women’s Open, Men’s and Women’s Veteran, and Boys’ and Girls’ for runners aged 13 to 18.
Registration is via JomRun website or app.
