The IHH Sky Race™ 2026: Over 8,000 Conquer Merdeka 118 in Record-Breaking Towerrunning Event

The IHH Sky Race™ 2026 returned bigger and stronger this year, scaling new heights across an expanded two-day format on 22 and 23 August 2026 at Menara Merdeka Maybank within the Merdeka 118 Precinct—Malaysia’s tallest building and the second tallest in the world. Over 8,000 participants from more than 78 countries tackled 118 floors and 2,845 steps, competing across Individual and Team of 3 categories that welcomed elite athletes, fitness enthusiasts, families, and corporate teams alike. The event also marked the start of a three-year partnership introducing IHH Healthcare Malaysia as Title Partner and Official Medical Provider.

Elite Flag-Off: The IHH Sky Race™ was officially flagged off for the Men’s Open (+18) and Women’s Open (18+) categories on Saturday, 22nd August 2026 at Menara Merdeka Maybank within Merdeka 118 Precinct. VIPs (2nd to 8th from L-R): Pn. Liza Karim, Head of Communications of PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd; Mr. Roger Ong, Head of Precinct Commercialization of PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd; Datuk Ir. Ts. (Dr.) Izwan Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer of PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd; YM Raja Tan Sri Dato' Seri Arshad bin Raja Tun Uda, Group Chairman of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB); ⁠Dr Kamal Amzan, Chief Executive Officer of IHH Healthcare Malaysia; Dr Shuba Srinivasan, Regional CEO (Central) & Corporate Clinical Services IHH Healthcare Malaysia; Mr. Jeffrey Ross, Managing Director of Fresh Events Asia and Race Director, The IHH Sky Race™

Setting a new Malaysia Book of Records title for Largest Participation in a Towerrunning Event with 7,887 finishers, the race built on its 2025 records for Highest Towerrunning Race at 503-metres and Most Finishers in a Towerrunning Race/Event with 5,602 finishers. Main Partner EBENE also secured its own Malaysia Book of Records title for Most Participants in a Sports Recovery Session with 1,127 participants taking part on race day. 

Malaysia Book of Records Certificate Presentation: The IHH Sky Race™set a new Malaysia Book of Records title for Largest Participation in a Towerrunning Event. (L-R): Dr Kamal Amzan, Chief Executive Officer of IHH Healthcare Malaysia; Representative from Malaysia Book of Records, Jeffrey Ross, Managing Director of Fresh Events Asia and Race Director of The IHH Sky Race™

The ceremonial flag-off was officiated by Dr Kamal Amzan (CEO of IHH Healthcare Malaysia), YM Raja Tan Sri Dato' Seri Arshad bin Raja Tun Uda (Group Chairman of Permodalan Nasional Berhad), Datuk Ir. Ts. (Dr.) Izwan Ibrahim (CEO of PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd), Dr Shuba Srinivasan (Regional CEO Central & Corporate Clinical Services IHH Healthcare Malaysia), and Jeffrey Ross (Managing Director of Fresh Events Asia and Race Director). 

Malaysia Book of Records Certificate Presentation, Additionally, the Main Partner EBENE secured its own Malaysia Book of Records title for Most Participants in a Sports Recovery Session. (L-R): Representative from Malaysia Book of Records, Ms Goh Sa Ki, Marketing and E-Commerce Director at Wipro Unza Malaysia; Jeffrey Ross, Managing Director of Fresh Events Asia and Race Director of The IHH Sky Race™

Jeffrey Ross expressed pride in the milestone, calling it a clear sign that the race has become one of the region's most significant tower-running events, while Dr Kamal Amzan emphasized that better health is built through choices sustained over time, supported by over 200 IHH medical personnel ensuring safety throughout the challenge.

Elite Finisher - Men’s Open (18+): Ryoji Watanabe from Japan claimed victory for the Men’s Open category, crossing the finishing line with a notable time of 15:38

In the elite competition, Japan’s Ryoji Watanabe claimed victory in the men's category with a time of 15:38, narrowly missing the 2025 course record of 15:37 set by Malaysian champion Soh Wai Ching, who finished second at 15:48, followed by Australia's Mark Bourne in third at 16:33. 

Elite Finisher - Women’s Open (18+): Tea Faber of Croatia took first place in the Women’s Open (18+) category with a winning time of 18:07, breaking last year’s course record of 19:59

Watanabe noted the bittersweet nature of his win while praising the unique course and vowing to return next year, whereas Soh Wai Ching expressed pride that his course record still stands and vowed to come back stronger. 

Men’s Open Category (18+) [L-R]: Datuk Ir. Ts. (Dr.) Izwan Hasli Mohd Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer of PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd; Dr Shuba Srinivasan, Regional CEO (Central) & Corporate Clinical Services IHH Healthcare Malaysia; Mark Bourne from Australia (3rd place); Ryoji Watanabe from Japan (1st place) [absent]; Soh Wai Ching from Malaysia (2nd place); and Jeffrey Ross, Managing Director of Fresh Events Asia and Race Director of The IHH Sky Race™

In the women's category, Croatia’s Tea Faber finished first while setting a new women's course record at 18:07, ahead of Finland's Laura Manninen at 18:36 and Japan's Yuko Tateishi at 19:35, with Faber sharing her joy over setting the course record and defending her title in the future.

Women’s Open Category (18+) [L-R]: Datuk Ir. Ts. (Dr.) Izwan Hasli Mohd Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer of PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd; Yuko Tateishi from Japan (3rd place) [absent]; Tea Faber from Croatia (1st place); Laura Manninen from Finland (2nd place) [absent]; and Dr Shuba Srinivasan, Regional CEO (Central) & Corporate Clinical Services IHH Healthcare Malaysia

Adam Amjad of Malaysia, competed in the Junior Boy (13-17) category and finished in 18:36, breaking last year’s course record of 19:38. (L-R): Jeffrey Ross, Managing Director of Fresh Events Asia and Race Director of The IHH Sky Race™Encik Abdul Razak bin Abdul Rashid, Deputy Director of National Fitness Division, Ministry of Youth & Sports; Adam Amjad from Malaysia Mr. Ravinder Singh, President of Malaysia Towerruning Association

Rhea Assyifa Rosli of Malaysia, competed in the Junior Girl (13-17) category and finished the race in 24:15, breaking the course record of 32:35. (L-R): Encik Abdul Razak bin Abdul Rashid, Deputy Director of National Fitness Division, Ministry of Youth & Sports; Rhea Assyifa Rosli from Malaysia; Mr. Ravinder Singh, President of Malaysia Towerruning Association; Jeffrey Ross, Managing Director of Fresh Events Asia and Race Director of The IHH Sky Race™

Supported by EBENE as Main Partner, Oligo as Supporting Partner, and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), the race is sanctioned by the Malaysian Towerrunning Association (MTA) and continues to position Kuala Lumpur alongside iconic international vertical climbs like the Empire State Building Run-Up, Shanghai Tower International Vertical Marathon, Eiffel Tower Vertical Race, and Taipei 101 Run Up. 

Beyond the climb, attendees enjoyed a four-day festival experience from 20 to 23 August 2026 at the Sky Race Village in Stadium Merdeka, featuring food, interactive games, partner expos, arts and crafts, and live music. For more details, visit www.theskyrace.com