Dubai Mallathon: Indoor Fitness for Summer

Dubai Mallathon is a month-long community fitness initiative launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence.

Designed to beat the summer heat, it turns select shopping centers into air-conditioned walking and running routes before stores open, encouraging residents to stay active in a safe, comfortable setting.

What is Dubai Mallathon?

• A citywide program focused on movement and well-being, offering indoor walking and running across Dubai’s cooled malls.
  
  
• Participants can choose from 2.5 km, 5 km, and 10 km runs, plus any-pace walks.
  
  
• Free hydration stations are available at start and finish points.
  
  
• Weekdays are casual and self-paced; weekends feature organized 2.5 km, 5 km, and 10 km races with medals and prizes for top finishers.
  
  

Sheikh Hamdan, a champion of community fitness through initiatives like Dubai Fitness Challenge, Dubai Run, and Dubai Ride, said: “With Dubai Mallathon, we’re turning familiar spaces into places that inspire movement, connection, and better habits… We want everyone in Dubai to feel they can stay active and energized in welcoming spaces built with their needs in mind.”

Poll

What's your go-to workout time?

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

When and where is it happening?

• Dates: August 1–31.
  
  
• Time: Daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., before malls open.
  
  
• Locations: Multiple malls across Dubai. Some sources list seven participating malls—Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall, Springs Souk, City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, Mall of the Emirates, and Dubai Marina Mall—while others note nine malls including Dubai Mall.
  
  

Who can join and how to register?

• Open to all ages and fitness levels—from seasoned runners to casual walkers.
  
  
• Free entry with preregistration required.
  
  
• Register until 11:54 p.m. on August 30 at dubaimallathon.ae.
  
  

Why the Mallathon?

• Launched during a summer of record-breaking temperatures, when outdoor exercise can be unsafe. The UAE often sees mid-40s °C, with some areas hitting 51.8°C on August 1.
  
  
• The indoor setting makes activity accessible and enjoyable. One participant, Aswati Vadakkeppattu, called it “wonderful” compared with summer treadmill runs.
  
  
• Strong community response: Fawzia Faridoon, Head of Community Events at Dubai Sports Council, reported overwhelming participation across all segments of society. The event is organized by the Dubai Sports Council.
  
  

By turning malls into morning fitness hubs, Dubai Mallathon makes movement safe, social, and sustainable—no matter how hot it gets outside.

Source: thenationalnews, anewz.tv, Reuters

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.