Dubai’s ‘Mallathon’ turns shopping mall into air-conditioned race tracks as temperatures soar to 50°C

Early Saturday morning, as scorching heat blazed outside, the sound of sneakers filled a massive Dubai shopping mall as hundreds took part in “Mallathon” — an indoor, air-conditioned race.

The government-supported initiative is designed to promote physical activity during August — typically the hottest month in the United Arab Emirates — while making use of the city’s enormous malls, which often remain quiet during this time.

With Gulf summer temperatures sometimes exceeding 50°C, running outdoors can be unpleasant and even dangerous. “If you run outside, it’s not healthy at all because temperatures are around 40C to 50C,” said one participant named Rai, his platinum-blond hair tied back with a headband.

Dressed in “Dubai Mallathon” shirts and sportswear, participants ran and walked past shuttered shops in the wide, marble corridors, which would later be crowded with shoppers.

Throughout August, nine shopping centres — including the vast Dubai Mall — open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. for walkers and runners. On weekends, competitive 10 km, 5 km, and 2.5 km races are held in select malls, complete with podium ceremonies and prizes.

At Saturday’s City Centre Mirdif race, two robots moved among the runners, prompting selfie stops, while others queued for stationary bikes that powered blenders to make fresh smoothies.

Mall culture meets fitness
The Mallathon is backed by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 42, known for promoting active living. It’s part of broader efforts to shift Dubai’s car-centric, mall-focused lifestyle towards healthier habits, such as the “30x30” challenge encouraging residents to work out for 30 minutes daily over a month.

Obesity remains a major concern in the UAE, with rates among the highest globally. A study in The Lancet in March predicted that by 2050, 94% of UAE males could be overweight or obese — the highest projected rate worldwide. The extreme and worsening summer heat is a key factor, with the UAE recording its hottest April ever this year, followed by record-breaking May temperatures. On August 1, the mercury hit 51.8°C, just shy of the national record of 52°C.

Menna, a 36-year-old Egyptian resident of Dubai for 15 years, said there was “no way” she would exercise outdoors in the summer. But in the mall, “we have air-conditioning, first aid, water... there’s everything that you need.” She added, “It motivates you more when other people are doing it too.”

According to Fouzeya Faridoon, head of social activities at the Dubai Sports Council, over 500 people registered for Saturday’s free event. “The idea is to encourage people to exercise, especially walking and running, even in the summer,” she told AFP.

The race drew children, men, women, and at least one participant with a disability, all receiving medals and goodie bags at the finish line.

Among them was Zamani, a Sri Lankan tourist running alongside her young children. “I like the energy, everybody is all geared up,” the 46-year-old said. “It’s very modern and chic.”

[With inputs from AFP]