(From left) Ong, Prof Jeffrey, Soh, Abd Aziz, Ross, Mohd Amirul, Liza, Ravinder and Hafidz Atrash in front of Merdeka 118. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
MALAYSIA’S tallest skyscraper will host a groundbreaking vertical race that will see thousands of runners from more than 30 countries.
To be held at Merdeka 118, the Sky Race will offer participants aged 13 and above the opportunity to climb all 118 floors of the building, or a total of 2,845 steps.
The race is set to take place on Aug 30, in conjunction with the National Day weekend, and serve as a tribute to national pride and progress.
During the launch event held at Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur, Sky Race race director and Fresh Events Asia general manager Jeffrey Ross said it was not just a race but a gateway to an unparalleled experience.
“The Sky Race at Merdeka 118 provides a singular chance to access level 118 of the most iconic building in Malaysia, where you’ll be rewarded with the most breathtaking panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur.
“You’d be standing somewhere that very few people in the world have ever been.
“It’ll be the first time that almost everyone in Malaysia and indeed the world will be able to experience being at the very top of Merdeka 118,” he said.
Permodalan Nasional Bhd Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd (PNBMV) chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Ab Aziz Tengku Mahmud said Merdeka 118 was also about being able to create meaningful experiences that brought people together to celebrate the spirit of Malaysia.
“We are honoured to open the doors of Merdeka 118 to this historic event,” he said in a media statement.
PNBMV head of communications Liza Karim echoed his sentiments, saying that the challenge would elevate the nation’s reputation.
Organised by Fresh Events Asia along with the Malaysia Towerrunning Association, the race had already chalked up 4,100 registered participants out of the 5,000 available slots at the launch event.
“We have 31 nationalities registered aged between 13 and 75,” said Ross.
“We’re expecting most of the top 20 tower runners in the world to be here.”
Despite the many other established vertical races in the world, such as the Empire State Building Run-Up, Shanghai Tower International Vertical Marathon, Eiffel Tower Vertical Race and the Taipei 101 Run, Ross is confident that the Sky Race at Merdeka 118 will become the world’s best tower race.
Tower running world champion Soh Wai Ching has been named as the official ambassador of the event.
Also present at the launch were Youth and Sports Ministry national youth and sports department (sports development) deputy director-general Abd Aziz Abd Rahman, PNBMV head of precinct commercialisation Roger Ong, National Heart Institute cardiovascular sports and fitness director Prof Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Jeswant Dillon.
Others include Visit Malaysia 2026 head of secretariat Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Malaysia Towerruninng Association president Ravinder Singh and Pelaburan Hartanah Nasional Bhd chief executive officer Hafidz Atrash Kosai Mohd Zihim.
Tickets are priced at RM159 for a single entry and RM449 for a team of three participants.
Registration closes when all slots are filled up.
For more information, visit theskyrace.com
