SIBU: Two-time Sibu Tower Run champion Soh Wai Chin is working hard for his sport to be included in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) or SEA Games.
He admitted it was not an easy task but believes that, with perseverance and hardwork, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
Soh Wai Chin.
“What is important now is to get more runners to participate in the sport. If we can increase the runners base, then there is a high chance that the sport will get the recognition by the relevant authorities,” he said at the press conference yesterday afternoon.
Also present were Sibu Tower Run 2020 event coordinator councillor Mohammad Abdullah Izkandar Roseley and councillor Andy Ting.
The tournament is organised jointly by SMC and Methodist Pilley Institute (MPI) Alumni Association with support from Concept Event Agency.
Currently ranked World No. 2 and Asia No. 1, 25-year-old Soh is here to look into the venue for the 4th edition of Sibu Tower Run to be held on March 8, 2020, at 6am at Wisma Sanyan, Sarawak tallest building.
He did a practice run yesterday morning and, despite a minor knee injury after a fall yesterday morning, completed the 627 steps of the 28-storey 126m high Wisma Sanyan in a record time of 2hr 58min.
‘It’s a good venue and runners need not worry about its safety. There will be safety marshals all the way to provide assistance to the runners,” he said.
Organisers are targeting 1,000 runners for the event sanctioned by Malaysia Tower Running Association (MTA). After the 2020 Sibu Tower Run Soh, who is also MTA president, will fly straight to Paris to take part in the Eiffel Tower Run on March 11.
“Taking part in the international tower run is necessary so so to maintain my international rankings,” he said, adding he will be World No. 1 with the next ranking figure released by March 2020. On the homefront, Soh said Malaysia will see five more tower runs next year besides the Sibu Run which is considered as one of the smallest.
The others included the KL International Towerton Challenge Run on April 5, Tower Run in Malacca in June, Penang Komtar Tower Run in September, KL TRX 106 Tower Run in Oct and Malacca TM Tower Run in November.
Meanwhile, Izkandar said the objectives of the Sibu event are to promote a healthy lifestyle, raise the profile of Sibu and sharpen the potential of local runners.
It also aims to raise funds for MPI to finance its students.
Cash prizes amount to RM800 (first), RM400 (second) and RM300 (third), RM100 (fourth and fifth) and RM50 (6th to 10th positions).
Registration fees is RM70 per entry with the closing date on Feb 15.