KUALA LUMPUR - Climbing 1,608 steps - equivalent to 292 metres from ground level to the peak of the Kuala Lumpur Tower (KL Tower) - is no easy feat.
But for national tower runner and world champion Soh Wai Ching, every step represents struggle, pride, and his love for the country.
On Nov 30, Soh will return to the tower that shaped his journey, joining 2,000 participants from 15 countries in the Kuala Lumpur Tower Run International Challenge 2025 (KLTRIC 2025). For most runners, the climb is a physical challenge - but for Soh, it is a mission to uphold national pride.
Soh, 31, recalled his first participation in 2013, when he joined simply for fun, without any expectations. His motivation changed after discovering that since 1998, no Malaysian had ever won the overall category.
"I was shocked to learn Malaysia had never won. From that moment, I was determined to break that record,” he told Bernama.
That determination paid off when Soh became the first Malaysian to win the overall category in 2019, repeating the feat in 2023. This year, he is returning in pursuit of a third title.
Soh’s preparation demands immense discipline, including intensive training three times a week, starting as early as 6 am, conquering the KL Tower staircase while most people are still asleep.
"Training here definitely gives an advantage. We understand the structure of the staircase - we know when to increase the pace and when to maintain rhythm,” he said.
This year’s edition has also attracted participants from Kenya, Japan, India, Australia, and Germany. But the international competition does not dampen his resolve.
"This is our homeland. If possible, I don’t want to see foreign participants take home the title,” he said.
Earlier at a press conference on KLTRIC 2025 today, LSH Service Master Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Khairil Faizal Othman said the theme ‘Victory is Vertical’ was chosen to reflect the spirit of persistence in tower running, a sport that is gaining increasing international recognition.
He also highlighted the impressive achievement of national athlete Michele Tan Bee Kiang, who recorded a Guinness World Record as the fastest woman to complete a ‘vertical mile,’ clocking 1 hour 33 minutes.
"That achievement is equivalent to climbing KL Tower 6.5 times in a row. It proves the great potential of Malaysian athletes in action sports and international tourism,” he said.
Now in its 23rd edition, KLTRIC continues to position KL Tower as a sports tourism hub, in line with preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
The event offers eight categories: Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Boys’ Junior, Girls’ Junior, Men’s Veteran, Women’s Veteran, Men’s Elite, and Women’s Elite, with total prize money of RM80,000 awaiting the winners.
Registration can be made via www.jomrun.com/event/Kuala-Lumpur-Tower-Run-International-Challenge-2025. - BERNAMA