The IHH Sky Race | Merdeka 118 is set to return on August 22 and 23 with an expanded two-day format, as organisers target up to 9,000 participants for what is billed as the world’s biggest tower climb.
Merdeka 118 as its name implies, is a 118-storey skyscraper in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. At 678.9 metres tall, it is the second-tallest building in the world, only behind the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which stands at 829.8 metres.
The second tallest building in Malaysia is the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) standing at 453.6 meters tall and features 106 floors. The Petronas Twin Towers stand at a height of 451.9 metres from the ground to their architectural spires, featuring 88 storeys each.
Participants will tackle the 118 floors and 2,845 steps of Merdeka 118, before descending via elevators after reaching the top. The event offers both Individual and Team of Three categories, welcoming everyone from elite athletes and fitness enthusiasts to families, first-time climbers and corporate teams.
Following the successful debut edition in 2025, organisers said the race has been expanded to accommodate significantly more participants after receiving overwhelming public interest.
Fresh Events Asia managing director and The IHH Sky Race | Merdeka 118 race director, Jeffrey Ross, said following the success of its inaugural edition, the event returns in an expanded two-day format, allowing more participants than ever before to experience the journey to Level 118.
He said the race has become a celebration of personal achievement, determination and community spirit, with participants ranging from elite athletes and fitness enthusiasts to first-time stair climbers, families, friends and corporate teams.
Organisers also aim to position the race alongside internationally recognised tower-running events such as the Empire State Building Run-Up in New York, the Shanghai Tower International Vertical Marathon, the Eiffel Tower Vertical Race and the Taipei 101 Run Up.
The event has grown from 5,858 participants in its inaugural edition, with about 7,500 tickets already sold for this year’s race.
Top Photo Credit: Aleksandr Medvedkov / Shutterstock.com
