In Dubai this August, the sound of running shoes hitting the floor isn’t coming from the streets — it’s echoing through the city’s shopping malls.
The city has launched its first-ever Dubai Mallathon — a month-long fitness initiative turning nine malls, including the iconic Dubai Mall, into early-morning indoor running tracks. Doors open at 7 a.m., giving runners and walkers a refreshing escape from the blistering summer heat.
On weekdays, the atmosphere is laid-back — jog at your own pace, chat with friends, or enjoy a brisk solo walk past storefronts. But weekends are a different story. Saturdays and Sundays bring official races of 2.5 km, 5 km, and 10 km, complete with medals, prizes, and those all-important bragging rights.
For many residents, it’s a game-changer. Outdoor exercise in Dubai’s record-breaking summer heat is not only uncomfortable — it can be dangerous. The Mallathon offers a safe, social, and surprisingly scenic way to stay active.
“The response from all classes of society has been overwhelming,” shared Fawzia Faridoon, head of community events at the Dubai Sports Council.
Runners like Aswati Vadakkeppattu say it’s a welcome change from the usual treadmill grind. “Oftentimes I want to go out for a run in the evenings, but it’s just too hot. An initiative like this, inside the mall, it’s wonderful.”
From fitness lovers chasing personal bests to families simply enjoying a morning stroll, the Mallathon is proving that community spirit can thrive — even in the middle of a shopping mall. And in Dubai, where innovation meets endurance, this might just become the city’s coolest new summer tradition.
