Dubai Mallathon Set to Kick Off, Transforming Malls into Indoor Fitness Hubs
DUBAI, 31st July, 2025 – Under the patronage of H.H. 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 highly anticipated Dubai Mallathon will launch tomorrow (Friday), inviting the community to participate in a vibrant citywide fitness initiative. The event will see leading shopping malls across the city transformed into comfortable, air-conditioned walking and running tracks, making physical activity accessible throughout the scorching summer months.
Aligned with the Year of Community campaign, the Dubai Social Agenda 33, and the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 33, the Dubai Mallathon aims to cultivate a healthier, more active lifestyle. The initiative encourages both residents and visitors to embrace a safe, climate-controlled environment to support their health and wellness goals, particularly during the intense Dubai summer.
Running across nine of the city’s most prominent malls—Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall, Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, Dubai Marina Mall, The Springs Souk, Dubai Festival City, and Festival Plaza—the event features more than 10 kilometres of indoor tracks. From 7 to 10 am throughout August, these facilities will be available for public use. Daily and weekend activities such as sports challenges and community competitions will engage people of all ages and interests, making it easy to integrate fitness into daily routines.
Adding a festive spirit, more than 40 iPhones, 10 tablets, shopping vouchers, gift cards, and other exciting prizes will be awarded during the weekend events, further motivating participation and community interaction.
The Ministry of Defence reaffirmed its support for national initiatives that elevate public health and enhance quality of life in Dubai and the UAE. The Ministry stated, “We adopt a holistic approach to building a cohesive, resilient society, recognising physical activity as vital to individual and collective wellbeing. Our participation in this initiative reflects our leadership’s vision to embed sport as a cornerstone of daily life and community identity.”
Saeed Hareb, Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council, emphasised, “This initiative reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed to promote the health and wellness of our community. It reinforces the importance of making physical activity a daily habit and underscores Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for sport. Whether in world-class indoor and outdoor venues or modern, globally recognised shopping malls, Dubai provides the ideal environment for active living. The Mallathon brings dedicated tracks to some of Dubai’s most iconic malls, encouraging participants to embrace a fit lifestyle in a fun, accessible setting. From valuable prizes to dedicated activities for senior citizens, this initiative reflects our leadership’s commitment to ensuring that every member of society enjoys a high quality of life and stays actively engaged.”
The Dubai Mallathon stands out for its inclusive, community-driven approach, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds, including youth, children, senior citizens, mall staff, and members of the ‘MyDubai Communities’ initiative.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and organised in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council, the event boasts support from a wide network of public and private partners. Wellness services are facilitated by Mai Dubai, the UAE Sports For All Federation, Al Tadawi Speciality Hospital, and the Dubai Cooperative Society. For ease of transport, Uber and Careem are offering exclusive discounts for attendees during event hours.
Participants can also benefit from free health check-ups, nutritional consultations, and healthy food options available from select restaurants and retail partners—reinforcing the initiative’s commitment to a wellness-first vision.
Additionally, a special initiative, ‘Walking for Better Health’, hosted by the Community Development Authority (CDA) together with participating malls, aims to motivate senior citizens and residents to remain physically active in a supportive, engaging environment that honours their valued place in the community.
Participation in the Dubai Mallathon is free and open to everyone. Interested individuals can register via the official website www.dubaimallathon.ae and will receive a digital participation card upon registration.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
