00:00Three, two, one, go.
00:05Malaysian Tower running champion So Wai Ching has raced his way to yet another national record,
00:11this time conquering the three-kilometre Penang Hill Heritage Trail in just 25 minutes, 55.25 seconds on national day.
00:21The 32-year-old Selayang-born athlete's latest feat is his fifth Malaysia Book of Records title this year,
00:28and his second national record in just three days.
00:31Just two days earlier, So shattered his own record by powering up all 68 floors of Komtar in 7 minutes,
00:382 seconds,
00:39climbing 1,356 steps.
00:42The grueling weekend did not stop him from taking on Penang Hill.
00:45He said the attempt up the hill was tougher than expected because of the hot weather,
00:50but he drew motivation from his previous attempt at the Penang Hill Trail five years ago,
00:55when he clocked around 31 to 32 minutes.
00:58Last night, I watched the video of me five years back when I came here and did the hike cup.
01:04I did it about 31, 32 minutes.
01:07So I keep watching the video.
01:09I visualized every scene that I'm going to run past.
01:12And of course, I have stationed four of my friends here to provide the support.
01:16So every station, every checkpoint when I pass, they cheer for me.
01:20So I expected to see them along the journey.
01:23And thanks to the crowd this morning for giving me the way and also cheer me on when I pass
01:30them.
01:34So, who calls himself a Penang son-in-law, said the state holds a special place in his heart.
01:40His wife is from Macallum, Georgetown, and although the couple now live in Pataling Jaya,
01:46So regularly returns to Penang to train.
01:48He has tackled the Penang Hill Trail about 20 to 30 times since his first visit a decade ago,
01:54and believes there is still room to go faster.
01:58But for So, it is not just about breaking records.
02:01He hopes his achievement will inspire more Malaysians and tourists to ditch the funicular and take the stairs instead.
02:08I hope more and more people will try to take up the sport of walking up the stairs
02:14and join us for the tower running competition.
02:17In Malaysia, we've got so many tower running competitions.
02:19Like this year, 17 in total.
02:21So definitely there will be more and more competition of walking up the stairs.
02:24And it's the most cost-effective sport.
02:28You don't have to spend much money by looking for stairs.
02:32Basically, your friends living in the apartments or condos use the stairs as a training ground.
02:36Oh, so tough.
02:37So said the achievement he made on National Day was especially meaningful
02:42as he wanted to do his part as a Malaysian by pushing his limits and bringing glory to the country.
