The IHH Sky Race 2026 has reached new heights, setting a Malaysia Book of Records title for the Largest Participation in a Towerrunning Event after 7,797 participants completed the gruelling climb up Menara Merdeka Maybank.
Held across 22 and 23 August 2026, the expanded two-day event welcomed more than 8,000 participants from over 78 countries. Runners tackled 118 floors and 2,845 steps to reach the top of Malaysia’s tallest building and the world’s second tallest.
This year’s race also marked the beginning of a three-year partnership with IHH Healthcare Malaysia, which joined as Title Partner and Official Medical Provider, deploying more than 200 medical personnel throughout the event.
Another Record-Breaking Year
The latest achievement follows two records established at the event in 2025 — the Highest Towerrunning Race at 503 metres and Most Finishers in a Towerrunning Race/Event, with 5,602 finishers.
Main Partner EBENE also secured a Malaysia Book of Records title this year for the Most Participants in a Sports Recovery Session, involving 1,127 participants.
International Athletes Take the Podium
Japan’s Ryoji Watanabe claimed victory in the men’s category with a time of 15:38, finishing just one second outside Malaysian tower-running champion Soh Wai Ching’s 2025 course record.
Soh finished second in 15:48, while Australia’s Mark Bourne took third place at 16:33.
In the women’s category, Croatia’s Tea Faber secured first place and a new women’s course record with a time of 18:07. Finland’s Laura Manninen followed at 18:36, while Japan’s Yuko Tateishi finished third at 19:35.
Beyond the elite competition, the race welcomed everyone from fitness enthusiasts and corporate teams to families and first-time climbers across its individual and Team of 3 categories.
More Than Just the Climb
The event extended beyond Menara Merdeka Maybank with the Sky Race Village at Stadium Merdeka, which ran from 20 to 23 August. Visitors could enjoy food, interactive activities, partner exhibitions, arts and crafts and live music throughout the four-day programme.
With participation continuing to grow internationally, the IHH Sky Race is positioning Kuala Lumpur alongside some of the world’s best-known vertical races, including tower climbs at the Empire State Building, Shanghai Tower and Taipei 101.
The event is organised by Fresh Events Asia and sanctioned by the Malaysian Towerrunning Association, with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia.