Dubai Mallathon 2026 draws more than 160,000 participants — The National
In Dubai, UAE, 160,475 people took part in the second Dubai Mallathon sporting event. Over three months, participants collectively walked more than 290 million steps, The National reports.
Runs in shopping malls
The initiative ran from June 15 to September 15 under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE. It was organized by the Dubai Sports Council together with the Ministry of Defence.
The events took place at more than nine shopping malls and other locations in Dubai. This year, Dubai International Airport, the Dubai International Financial Centre and Ibn Battuta Mall were added to the program. Other venues included Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Hills Mall, City Centre Mirdif, Dubai Festival City Mall and City Centre Deira.
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Marathon and women's events
The program included more than 14 weekly runs, events for Emirati Women's Day, a full-distance marathon at Dubai Mall and a 21-kilometer half marathon. Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, said that professional athletes, amateurs, beginners and families joined the initiative.
The council's Secretary General, Saeed Hareb, called the Mallathon an example of transforming shopping spaces into sporting venues during the summer. Last year, the event set a Guinness World Record for the largest number of participants in a run inside a shopping mall.
