All revved up for KL towerthon

KL Tower International Towerthon Challenge (KLTITC) 2023, an adrenaline-pumping sports event, is set to return for its 21st edition tomorrow after a pandemic hiatus.

The challenge, which is scheduled to start at 5am, is expected to attract over 3,000 local and international participants.

Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Nazli Saad said international participants included those from Singapore, Kenya, Japan and Taiwan.

With a climb of 1,576 steps to the top of Kuala Lumpur Tower, 288m above ground level, the event offers a unique opportunity to participants who want to test their physical and mental endurance.

Turkish Airlines is the title sponsor in collaboration with Youth and Sports Ministry, Tourism Malaysia, Fire and Rescue Services Department and the police.

Turkish Airlines Malaysia director Muhammed Hamza Arslan said its involvement with KLTITC for the second time was to promote a healthy lifestyle and boost sports tourism in Malaysia.

“As Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, it will encourage people not only in Malaysia but from all around the world to engage in this sports activity,” he said.

Tourism Malaysia international promotions (America, Europe and Oceania) senior director Iskandar Mirza Mohd Yusof spoke about how the annual event augured well for promoting Kuala Lumpur Tower as a must-visit spot for tourists, while highlighting culture, adventure and nature.

(From left) Menara Kuala Lumpur managing director Datuk Abdul Hamid Shaikh, Muhammed Hamza, Iskandar and Nazli.

“It is a win-win proposition for our tourism industry, allowing international participants to discover what Malaysia has to offer.

“With sports tourism as one of our focal niches, not only does this attract tourists as participants or spectators, it also provides an authentic local experience to further intensify promotions in revitalising the tourism sector.”

He added that it aimed to record 16.1 million international tourist arrivals with RM49.2bil in tourism receipts this year, through this event and other initiatives in the tourism sector.

There are six categories in the towerthon: men and women open (age 19 and above), men and women veterans (age 41 and above), and boys and girls (age 18 and below).

The challenge offers cash prizes totalling RM32,500 and “Finisher” T-shirts for top 100 finishers in all categories.

At a special rate of RM20 per person, participants can also experience the Sky Deck and Sky Box tomorrow.

For details, visit www.checkpointspot.asia/event/KL-Tower-Run