More than 100,000 participants were registered as part of the second series of the Dubai Mallathon initiative. In the first two months of the summer public sports program, residents and visitors of Dubai together covered over 220 million steps, according to the Dubai Media Office.
The event, which started on June 15, transformed shopping malls across Dubai into air-conditioned tracks for running and walking, providing people with the opportunity to stay active during the summer and bringing families and the wider community together.
Dubai Mallathon was launched at the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, with the aim of encouraging the activity of residents and visitors throughout the summer.
The program, organized in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council, will run until September 15. Six shopping centers in the emirate open their doors daily for runners and walkers from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Participating locations include Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Centre, Dubai Festival City Mall, Deira City Centre, and Dubai Hills Mall, which offer dedicated walking and running tracks in comfortable, air-conditioned environments.
Participants can take part in various sporting events, competitions, and public programs designed for different age groups and fitness levels. Furthermore, the initiative supports the UAE Family Year 2026, encouraging families to exercise together and spend time in a positive community setting.
Since its launch, Mallathon has continued to expand. Gate Avenue in DIFC joined on August 1 and will remain part of the program until September 15, while Ibn Battuta Mall joined on August 17, encompassing an even larger part of the community.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) became the first non-shopping mall venue to participate in the initiative, opening parts of the airport for exclusive Mallathons in August. DXB is holding four Friday sessions, the last of which is scheduled for August 28 and coincides with Emirati Women's Day.
Mallathon attracted a diverse audience, including the UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touka Al Marri, high-ranking government officials, government employees, people with disabilities, senior citizens, and students. According to Khaleej Times, members of the Team Angel Wolf, a non-profit organization promoting inclusivity in sports, participated in the session on August 7.
As Mallathon will continue until September 15, residents and visitors can continue to participate in the program, maintain activity, and enjoy various sporting and public events in Dubai's air-conditioned shopping centers.