KL Tower conquerers

DESPITE it being her maiden tower-run, Kimbeley Yap was surprised to finish second in her category at the KL Tower International Towerthon Challenge 2014, therefore earning a spot as a Malaysian representative at an international event.

“I’m still shocked with my win, as I did the run just for fun,” said the 29-year-old national athlete, who previously competed in swimming and cycling, and now does triathlons.

Yap said she believed that cycling gave her the advantage in building her strength for the run, although her forte was swimming.

When not working as a personal trainer, Yap said she would be training to compete in next year’s SEA Games triathlon in Singapore.

Alwin (left) and Yap will be representing Malaysia at the World Federation of Great Towers Towerrunning Final in Vienna, Austria next year.

Yap and Alwin Arul Alexander, who were the highest-placed Malaysian runners in the women’s Open and men’s Open categories, respectively, will be representing the country at the World Federation of Great Towers (WFGT) Tower-running Final in Vienna, Austria next year.

They will be competing against winners of nine other WFGT Tower-running Challenge 2014 events held in, among other cities, Calgary, Macau, Portsmouth, Prague and Sydney.

The races feature participants climbing to the top of towers affiliated with WFGT – an international association of great monuments that include some of the most famous buildings in the world.

Besides sending the Malaysian winners to an international final for the first time, Menara Kuala Lumpur chief executive officer Datuk Zuraidah Mohd Said said the KL Tower International Towerthon Challenge 2014 had 3,500 participants – the highest number yet for the run.

“We even had to reject some 500 entries after registration was closed,” said Zuraidah of the challenge that tested runners on their mental and physical strength, and determination.

Participants in the women’s veteran category all cheerful prior to the flag off.

Participants had to run 800m uphill from the starting point at the open parking space, then climb 2,058 steps to reach the finish line at KL Tower’s Mega View Banquet Hall, which is located 288m above sea level.

“This year’s finisher’s medal had a double-sided design, which also marked a first for the towerthon.

“Some 210 international runners from 18 countries participated in this year’s race,” said Zuraidah.

This year’s towerthonhad RM100,000 worth of prizes in cash and kind, across all eight categories.

Australian Darren Wilson managed to beat last year’s top Kenyan winners to earn first place in the men’s Open category.

“I knew the Kenyans would be very strong,” he said. “I was lined up against last year’s winner at the starting line, but was lucky I got into the stairwell ahead of him, therefore having enough space to finish the race.”

Wilson said he trains two-to-three times a week by doing 15-to-20 repetitions of running up close to 20 floors.

It was a proud day for (from left) Quay Lay Hoon, Janice Gan, Geannie Tan, Jenny Lee, Shirley Chin and Elaine Kok as they showed off their medals.

Meanwhile, JP Running Academy coach and student pair Jean-Pierre Lautredoux and Saryu Onishi finished among the top-three in their respective categories.

Lautredoux, 48, is the defending champion of the men’s Junior Veteran category, having won the title since 2012.

“It’s very different to running on roads,” said the Frenchman. “Road running is done on relatively flat terrain and you get to feel the wind in your face. Climbing stairs is like doing constant squats and it can get extremely hot in an enclosed environment.

“Stair racing requires a lot of physical training. Having a lightweight build can also be an advantage.”

Onishi, 14, said his runner-up spot in the boys’ Junior category was unexpected, as he did not do much preparation for the challenge.

“But I’ll definitely train hard now as I’m aiming for the top place next year,” said the ELC International School student.

Results

Men’s Open

18-39 years old

1. Darren Wilson 00:12:23

2. Enock Kipchirchir Kigen 00:13:16

3. Alex Kipkorit 00:13:46

Men’s Junior Veteran

40-49 years old

1. Jean-Pierre Lautredoux 00:14:18

2. Casey Lim Khon Seng 00:15:15

3. Tan Song Hua 00:15:36

Men’s Senior Veteran

50-and-above

1. Chuah Kean Kok 00:16:15

2. Robert David Herries 00:16:54

3. Khir Salleh 00:17:07

Women’s Open

18-34 years old

1. Carolyne Jepkosgei Chepkwony 00:16:53

2. Kimbeley Yap Fui Li 00:18:09

3. Tan Mei Wai 00:21:03

Women’s Veteran

35-and-above

1. Yuan Yu Fang 00:17:45

2. Looi Mei Yan 00:19:34

3. Wendy Wong 00:19:46

Junior Boys

13-17 years old

1. Muhammad Farhan Khairul Anuar 00:15:38

2. Saryu Onishi 00:16:03

3. Muhammad Azyraf Azman 00:16:11

Junior Girls

13-17 years old

1. Manissha Arokiasamy 00:20:27

2. Fatihah Syahrl 00:21:10

3. Nazatul Najwa Ahmad Asyik 00:21:36

Disabled

18-and-above

1. Mohd Sabki Arifin 00:18:35

2. Rezali Jaafar 00:20:05

3. Muhammad Amirul Mohamad Zawawi 00:22:37