GEORGE TOWN: Most hikers take about an hour to reach the peak of Penang Hill via the 3km Heritage Trail but Soh Wai Ching did so in 25 minutes and 55.25 seconds.
“As a tower runner, I usually train in stairwells. But here, I can run in a natural environment with fresh air, and I really enjoyed it,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that the climb yesterday was challenging despite the cool weather condition with no rain or haze.
Some of the steepest sections forced him to just walk briskly instead of running, which could quickly drain his energy.
“The challenge was not as easy as I had imagined, but I made it with the support of team members running alongside me and encouraging me, as well as hikers cheered me on,” said Soh, 32.
The Heritage Trail is one of Penang Hill’s oldest trails, running alongside the century-old funicular railway line to the summit.
Soh’s wife Chan Yee Chin, 32, and their nine-month-old son, Victor Soh Yi Sheng, also celebrated with him at the hilltop.
He has achieved a number of feats this year as a tower runner.
For instance, he conquered the The Exchange 106 at TRX (106 floors in 13 minutes and seven seconds), Merdeka 118 (2,845 steps in 16 minutes and three seconds) and Tangga Putrajaya Steps (198 steps in 41.5 seconds).
These achievements have been acknowledged by the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR).
He plans to climb the Petronas Twin Towers in either October or November in a bid to set another record.
“Like Thanos collecting the six Infinity Stones in Marvel movies, I have just one left,” Soh said with a smile.
“We have already submitted an official request to the KLCC management and are awaiting approval.”
“With proper safety measures in place, I hope this final challenge can happen to achieve my quest for six records for the year,” said Soh, who is ranked the No. 1 male runner by the Towerrunning World Association. Its athletes climb skyscrapers, towers and outdoor staircases.
His latest triumph at Penang Hill is his fifth MBOR record this year and his second within three days.
On Saturday, Soh broke his own record by scaling Komtar’s 68 floors in seven minutes and two seconds, completing all 1,356 steps from the ground floor to the 68th floor.
Soh said stair-climbing is a cost-effective sport.
“You don’t need to spend a fortune. Just use your apartment or office stairwell. No haze could bother you,” he said.
