PETALING JAYA: Tower runner Soh Wai Ching (pic) achieved his 38th career win when he won the National Vertical Marathon at Suntec Tower 1 in Singapore over the weekend.
He scaled the 42-floor building in 956 steps, completing the challenge in a new course record of four minutes and 13 seconds.
And he was not alone this time. He had company from three compatriots as Malaysia managed to claim four out of the five podium spots in Singapore.
Chin Hong Zhang finished second in four minutes and 38 seconds ahead of Charles Supapodok of Singapore, who came in 17 seconds later.
Fellow Malaysians Tan Yong Zhi and Low Keng Yik took fourth (5:05) and fifth (5:15) respectively.
World No. 1 Wai Ching said it was a last-minute decision to take part in Singapore after receiving sponsorship from Better Malaysia Foundation, the personal charity organisation founded by tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan.
“We got a late flag-off time because of late registration ,like two days before the closing date,” he said.
“It was actually a last-minute decision to go to Singapore after I got the sponsorship and I then decided to sponsor all three Malaysians to take part in this event.
“In the end, we managed to get 80% podium for the Men’s Open category despite the challenges we faced.
“I also want to thank Wayne Soo, a Malaysian chartered accountant who works and lives in Singapore, for hosting us, bringing us around for good food and share with us a lot of his life experience.”
