By Adam Azman
SHAH ALAM, Dec 4 — The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is strengthening Phase 2 of its backup athlete development programme through an expanded tower-running talent search, following the global triumph of its sponsored athlete, Soh Wai Ching.
Soh reclaimed the world number one tower runner title after emerging champion at the Shanghai Tower Tower-Running Challenge, completing the 119-floor (552m) ascent in 18 minutes and 3 seconds.
His 2025 season has seen him collect 23 titles and set 13 new records, further cementing his dominance on the world stage.
“Following the achievement, MBPJ is intensifying efforts to scout and train young tower-running prospects aged 10 to 17, with assessments to be conducted at Menara MBPJ.
“Soh will lead the evaluation sessions and mentor selected athletes,” the local council stated in a Facebook post, yesterday.
To garner wider participation, MBPJ will host the Tower Running Festival on 20 December as part of Leisure @PJ State 52.
It will feature Malaysia Book of Records recognition for more than 100 consecutive Tower Running Clinics, an intensive youth clinic led by Soh, the launch of the Star Climb Machine at Menara MBPJ as a new training asset for the Malaysia Tower Running Association (MTA) and the opening of strategic partner registration for the MBPJ Tower Vertical Mural Project.
“Residents and the public are encouraged to join the event and support the growth of tower-running,
“Corporations, agencies and individuals keen to collaborate on the mural project are invited to register with MBPJ,” the post read.
