Dubai has launched its first-ever 'Mallathon,' a month-long event turning shopping centres into indoor running tracks to offer residents a safe way to exercise during peak summer heat, that started 1 August.
Nine malls, including the Dubai Mall, one of the largest in the world, have been opening from 7 a.m. to welcome walkers and runners. The initiative, organised by the Dubai Sports Council, runs throughout August and is designed as both a casual and competitive activity.
On weekdays, participants can move at their own pace, while weekends feature formal races of 2.5 km, 5 km and 10 km, with medals and prizes for top finishers.
“The response from all classes of society has been overwhelming,” said Fawzia Faridoon, Head of Community Events at the Dubai Sports Council.
Residents say the indoor cooler setting makes all the difference for running.
Often times I want to go out for a run in the evenings and it’s really bad,” said participant Aswati Vadakkeppattu, adding that she usually resorts to treadmills during the summer.
“An initiative like this, inside the mall, it’s wonderful.”
The event comes amid a summer of record-breaking temperatures in the United Arab Emirates, when outdoor exercise can be dangerous. In Dubai on average it's around the mid-40 degrees Celsius mark.
On 1 August, the temperature in the desert town of Sweihan hit 51.8 C.
The Mallathon will run until the end of August.
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