The three-month summer initiative logged more than 290 million steps across retail hubs, capping off with a full indoor marathon at Dubai Mall.
DUBAI, September 19, 2026 : More than 160,000 residents and visitors completed over 290 million steps during the second edition of the Dubai Mallathon, which concluded its three-month run across major retail hubs, the Dubai Sports Council announced.
Organised jointly with the UAE Ministry of Defence under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, the indoor fitness push transformed commercial venues into climate-controlled athletic tracks from June 15 through September 15.
Final turnout reached 160,475 participants spanning diverse ages and fitness levels. The program was designed to keep the emirate active through peak summer heat while driving long-term targets outlined in the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 and the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033.
The finale featured competitive indoor endurance runs at Dubai Mall, including a full 42.195-kilometre marathon and a 21-kilometre half-marathon. A parallel community event at Dubai Hills Mall brought together runners, families, and Emirati sporting figures alongside Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, and Major General Khalifa Rashid Al Hamli, Director of the Office of the Minister of Defence.
Belhoul said the strong public response underlines Dubai’s push to make exercise accessible year-round. Providing indoor alternatives enables sustained physical conditioning regardless of outdoor temperatures, aligning with local goals to embed active living as an everyday standard.
Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, noted that expanding the footprint across government and private venues helped scale community engagement throughout the hotter months.
Three new venues joined the circuit this year: Dubai International Airport (DXB), Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and Ibn Battuta Mall. They complemented regular host sites, including Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall, City Centre Mirdif, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Festival City Mall, and City Centre Deira.
Across the 90-day campaign, organizers staged more than 14 weekly races alongside special activations, including tailored fitness tracks celebrating Emirati Women’s Day. Support came through public-private partnerships involving Al Ameen Service, Mai Dubai, Huawei, and Yango Group.
The Mallathon debuted in 2025, setting a Guinness World Record during its inaugural run when more than 1,300 runners participated in a single indoor race at Dubai Hills Mall. The expanded 2026 edition tied directly into the UAE’s Year of the Family priorities by promoting multi-generational participation across enclosed spaces.
