July 23, 2025

Dubai Turns Malls into Morning Fitness Tracks

Dubai has introduced a new approach to staying active during the summer, transforming some of the city’s most popular shopping destinations into walking and running spaces. The ‘Dubai Mallathon’ invites residents to swap treadmills for indoor strolls, offering an accessible and climate-controlled alternative to outdoor exercise. Running daily from 7am to 10am throughout August, the initiative aims to make fitness an easy part of everyday life.

The programme forms part of the Dubai Social Agenda’s 33 targets and features designated pathways inside seven commercial hubs, including Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall, City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Marina Mall and The Springs Souk. These spaces are designed to accommodate both walkers and runners, providing residents with a practical way to keep fit while escaping the summer heat.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, highlighted the simplicity of the concept and its far-reaching impact. He described it as an invitation to adopt healthier routines without added effort, turning familiar indoor spaces into environments that support active living. The initiative reflects his broader vision of encouraging community wellness and positioning Dubai as one of the best cities to live, work and visit.

The ‘Dubai Mallathon’ also capitalises on the underused capacity of shopping centres during early hours, offering a safe, air-conditioned setting for exercise. This approach removes one of the main barriers to year-round activity – the intense summer climate – while reinforcing the city’s reputation for creative urban solutions that place residents’ wellbeing at the forefront.

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