No heat, no excuses – How Dubai’s Mallathon is turning malls into fitness communities

It was the first day of the Dubai Mallathon, a month-long, free community fitness event that transforms nine of Dubai’s busiest malls into climate-controlled walking and running tracks each morning in August. The initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, the Dubai Mallathon is turning the idea of 'mall walking' into a movement.

With summer temperatures hovering in the high 40s, even the most dedicated fitness enthusiasts struggle to stay active outdoors. But inside the air-conditioned interiors of participating malls, including Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Hills Mall and more participants can now walk, jog or run safely and comfortably from 7am to 10am daily.

For many, this was more than just another workout.

Among the first to show up at Mall of the Emirates was Carlo Bacalla, a 63-year-old ultramarathoner from the Philippines. “Last year I was diagnosed with kidney disease. I’m on dialysis, but I’ve started to run again,” he said. “Before, I was very active. Now I’m slowly getting back. This initiative is perfect because the heat makes it impossible to train outside.”

Carlo is currently training for the New York Marathon in November, where he hopes to raise funds and awareness for dialysis patients.

Mariam Afifi, an Egyptian Canadian and marathon runner, also welcomed the chance to train indoors. “I’m preparing for an ultramarathon in New Zealand. It’s way too hot to run outside right now, so this is the best solution. I really appreciate this initiative from Sheikh Hamdan. It keeps us moving.”

Nearby, Dennis Otieno, a personal trainer assigned to lead the morning stretches, echoed her enthusiasm. “This brings the whole community together. Most people don’t have time to exercise during the day, but this early start gives everyone a chance. It’s a golden opportunity.”

Corporate teams also joined in. Employees from Bizzmosis Group were among the early risers. “We always sign up for fitness events as a team,” said Mohammad Sidique, a PRO at the company. “This is a great motivator, especially during summer when most people avoid outdoor activities.”

Nour Mohammad, from Egypt, said the energy at the event was contagious. “Dubai has such a fitness-friendly environment, and this initiative strengthens the community spirit.”

For Mwiche Chisanga, from Zambia and a new Dubai resident, said the Mallathon was a spontaneous decision. “I saw it on Instagram, registered last night, and showed up this morning. I love the vibe, everyone’s so pumped and positive.”

And for Costa Nikolitis from Greece, it was another chance to experience Dubai’s unique public fitness culture. “I did the Dubai Run last year. This Mallathon is such a fun and smart idea. I’m excited to be part of it.”

Over 10 kilometres of indoor track space has been mapped out across nine malls in Dubai:

Visit www.dubaimallathon.ae, select your preferred mall, fill in your personal details (including date of birth, residence, and mobile number), and you’ll receive a confirmation email to get started.

The Dubai Mallathon is a collaborative initiative led by Dubai Sports Council, in partnership with Dubai Economy and Tourism, the Community Development Authority, and officially sponsored by the UAE Ministry of Defence. It supports key national priorities, including the Year of Community campaign, Dubai Social Agenda 33, and the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 33 - all aimed at fostering healthier, more connected communities across the city.