KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur Tower is set to raise the bar for towerrunning once again as it prepares to host the Turkish Airlines Kuala Lumpur Tower Run International Challenge 2026 (KLTRIC2026), targeting a record 2,500 participants from Malaysia and around the world.
Recognised as Malaysia's longest-running tower race, the event has grown into one of the region's premier towerrunning events, attracting elite athletes, recreational runners and fitness enthusiasts from across the globe while showcasing Kuala Lumpur Tower as one of the country's most iconic sporting landmarks.
Building on the success of last year's edition, Turkish Airlines KLTRIC2026 is targeting 2,500 participants from 30 countries to further strengthen Malaysia's position on the global towerrunning stage while supporting the aspirations of Visit Malaysia 2026.
Returning with the inspiring theme "Victory is Vertical", participants will once again conquer Kuala Lumpur Tower's iconic 1,608 steps before crossing the finish line at the Tower's newest attraction, Sky Garden, offering runners a refreshed race experience with breathtaking panoramic views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline.
Making its debut this year, Sky Garden will serve as the official finish line for Turkish Airlines KLTRIC2026, providing participants with a unique race finale surrounded by lush greenery and spectacular views of the city skyline.
The new finish experience reflects Kuala Lumpur Tower's ongoing efforts to enhance its attractions while offering participants an unforgettable reward after conquering one of South-East Asia's most challenging vertical races.
LSH Service Master Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Khairil Faizal Othman said the Turkish Airlines KLTRIC2026 reflects Kuala Lumpur Tower's continued commitment to promoting sports tourism while inspiring Malaysians and international participants to embrace healthy and active lifestyles.
"For more than two decades, this Towerrunning event has inspired thousands of participants to challenge themselves while showcasing Kuala Lumpur Tower as an iconic sporting and tourism destination.
“As we celebrate the 24th edition of this prestigious event and with Turkish Airlines returning as our title sponsor for the fifth consecutive year, we look forward to welcoming a record 2,500 participants to experience an exciting new race finish at Sky Garden while reinforcing Malaysia's position as one of the world's leading towerrunning destinations."
Turkish Airlines KLTRIC2026 will feature six competitive categories designed to accommodate participants across different age groups and genders, namely the Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Men’s Veteran, Women’s Veteran, Boys and Girls categories.
This diverse category structure allows participants to compete within their respective groups while showcasing their strength, endurance and determination in the challenge of conquering Kuala Lumpur Tower’s iconic 1,608 steps.
Participants will compete for championship honours, attractive cash prizes, exclusive finisher merchandise and valuable Towerrunning World Association (TWA) ranking points.
As one of Malaysia's flagship sports tourism events, Turkish Airlines KLTRIC2026 is expected to attract athletes and supporters from across Asia, Europe, Australia and beyond, generating positive economic impact for the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors while contributing to the success of the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
Turkish Airlines KLTRIC2026 is organised by Kuala Lumpur Tower with the support of key government agencies.
Turkish Airlines sales vice-president (Far East) Umit Develi said: “As Turkish Airlines, we are delighted to support an event that embodies determination, resilience and excellence.
“Sport has a unique power to bring people and cultures together, transcending borders and creating connections that go beyond distance.
“In many ways, this reflects what we do as Turkish Airlines: while our extensive flight network connects continents and brings people closer, our sponsorships allow us to build meaningful connections through the unifying power of sport.”
Joining the event for the first time as the Official Banking Partner is AmBank, marking a new partnership that further strengthens Kuala Lumpur Tower’s commitment to delivering an enhanced experience for participants and the wider community.
“AmBank Group is proud to be the Official Banking Partner of the Turkish Airlines Kuala Lumpur Tower Run International Challenge 2026,” said AmBank Group corporate communications and marketing head Shazman Shahid.
“The event holds special significance for us, with Bangunan AmBank Group, our headquarters on Jalan Raja Chulan, standing right next to the iconic Kuala Lumpur Tower. As one of Malaysia’s largest banking groups, we are delighted to support an event that brings Malaysians and participants from around the world together through sport, while showcasing Kuala Lumpur as a vibrant global destination.
“We look forward to seeing participants rise to the challenge, conquer all 1,608 steps and experience the new Sky Garden finish,” he added.
