Dubai’s malls turn into summer racetracks: Lace up and cool down

Eight-race mall run to kick off this Sunday as part of a city-wide fitness fest

Last updated:
A.K.S. Satish, Sports Editor
2 MIN READ
The eight-race Mall run will begin this weekend at Mirdiff City Centre and will be wrapping up on September 14 at Dubai Hills Mall.
The eight-race Mall run will begin this weekend at Mirdiff City Centre and will be wrapping up on September 14 at Dubai Hills Mall.
Dubai Media Office

Dubai: When the sun’s out blazing and the pavements feel like sauna, outdoor workouts quickly lose their charm. But fear not — Dubai has found a cool solution to your sweaty struggle.

This summer, forget jogging in the heat or battling for a treadmill at the gym. Thanks to the Dubai Sports Council’s ActiveSummer campaign, the city’s malls are trading food courts for finish lines. Yep, mall running is officially a thing — and it’s about to take over your Sunday mornings.

Starting this weekend at Mirdiff City Centre, and wrapping up on September 14 at Dubai Hills Mall, the eight-race indoor series is all about movement, music and mall magic. Whether you’re a casual stroller or a speed demon in sneakers, there’s a spot for you—air-conditioned, sweat-friendly, and Instagram-ready.

Why run in hot weather when you can race past retail displays and grab a smoothie after?

The mall runs are just one track in the super-sized playlist — a city-wide fitness initiative that’s redefining what summer workouts can look like. Think snow duathlons (in Ski Dubai), night hikes in Hatta, snow yoga sessions at -4°C, wakeboarding off Jumeirah Beach, and scooter races at Meydan. Even grandma’s invited — senior citizen snow walks and adaptive skiing for People of Determination are on the cards.

Also in the mix:

  • Boxing and wrestling championships

  • Cycling sprints and skating camps

  • Women-only snow hikes and fitness classes

  • Kid-friendly sports camps at top indoor venues

  • Curling masters and football face-offs.

It’s a full-blown fitness festival running until the end of August, powered by a mix of public and private partners across Dubai.

So whether you’re sprinting past a store, lifting in a snowstorm, or paddleboarding into the sunset, Dubai wants you to stay active—and stay cool.

This summer, the city’s hottest fitness experiences are happening in the coolest places. Literally.

A.K.S. Satish
A.K.S. SatishSports Editor
From playing on the pitch to analysing it from the press box, Satish has spent over three decades living and breathing sport. A cricketer-turned-journalist, he has covered three Cricket World Cups, the 2025 Champions Trophy, countless IPL seasons, F1 races, horse racing classics, and tennis in Dubai. Cricket is his home ground, but he sees himself as an all-rounder - breaking stories, building pages, going live on podcasts, and interviewing legends across every corner of the sporting world. Satish started on the back pages, and earned his way to the front, now leading the sports team at Gulf News, where he has spent 25 years navigating the fast-evolving game of journalism. Whether it’s a Super-Over thriller or a behind-the-scenes story, he aims to bring insight, energy, and a fan’s heart to every piece. Because like sport, journalism is about showing up, learning every day, and giving it everything.

Sign up for the Daily Briefing

Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox

Up Next