Dubai Mallathon 2026 wraps up with 160,475 participants and 290 million steps
Marathon, half-marathon and weekly races featured across the summer programme
DUBAI – Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the second edition of Dubai Mallathon has concluded after drawing 160,475 participants over three months.
Organised by the Dubai Sports Council in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, the initiative ran from 15 June to 15 September, bringing walking, running and community sporting activities to malls and major destinations across Dubai. Participants of different ages and nationalities collectively recorded more than 290 million steps during the programme, as the initiative sought to encourage regular physical activity and make sport part of everyday life.
The second edition expanded the initiative's reach through new participating destinations, a series of weekly races and a closing programme featuring marathon and half-marathon events. It also brought together professional athletes, amateur runners, families, beginners, government entities and private-sector organisations in a programme designed to keep people active during the summer months.
Strong response
Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, said the strong response demonstrated the continued development of Dubai's sports sector through community-focused initiatives.
“The response to Dubai Mallathon has been outstanding,” Belhoul said, noting that professional athletes, amateur runners, beginners and families participated in the programme.
He said the turnout reflected the ability of sport to bring members of the community together while encouraging more people to become physically active.
According to Belhoul, the initiative also supports Dubai's wider efforts to improve quality of life and integrate sport into people's daily routines. He linked the programme to the objectives of the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033, which seeks to encourage regular exercise and broader participation in sporting events.
Belhoul also highlighted the importance of sustaining community sporting events throughout the year and developing activities suitable for different seasons. He said Dubai Mallathon contributed to creating opportunities for people across the community to participate in physical activity in accessible settings.
The initiative brought together participants with different levels of sporting experience, allowing experienced runners to compete alongside people taking part in organised walking and running activities for the first time.
Dubai Mallathon 2026
Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, said the turnout demonstrated the strength of Dubai's sports sector and the capacity of its teams and partners to develop initiatives that encourage physical activity throughout the year.
He described Dubai Mallathon as a model for translating strategic objectives into community-level activities, with the programme using shopping malls and major destinations as venues for sport during the summer.
The second edition featured more than eight malls and destinations across Dubai. Dubai International Airport, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Ibn Battuta Mall joined the initiative for the first time this year.
They participated alongside established destinations including Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall, City Centre Mirdif, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Festival City Mall and City Centre Deira.
Four events, one airport community, and millions of steps????
— Dubai Airports (@DubaiAirports) September 10, 2026
The first-ever edition of the @DubaiMallathon at @DXB brought together over 2,900 colleagues, partners, leaders, guests, and invited members of the public across four unforgettable events, turning Terminal 3 into a… pic.twitter.com/ciKqWUL4nJ
The programme's format allowed participants to incorporate walking and running into visits to familiar public destinations rather than limiting sporting activities to traditional athletic venues. Across the three-month period, the participating locations hosted regular activities aimed at attracting different sections of the community.
More than 14 weekly races were held across participating malls during the initiative. Valuable prizes were presented to winners, adding a competitive element to the programme while encouraging participants to improve their performance and maintain regular exercise.
Dubai Mallathon also marked Emirati Women's Day through dedicated activities for women. One such event was held at Dubai Mall and brought together women of different ages and backgrounds for community sporting activities.
Closing programme
Dubai Hills Mall hosted a special sports and community event as part of the closing programme. The event was attended by Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, Major General Khalifa Rashid Al Hamli, Director of the Office of the Minister of Defence, and several Emirati sporting legends.
The sporting figures joined members of the public in walking, running and other community activities before being honoured for their achievements, participation in Dubai Mallathon and contribution to encouraging active lifestyles.
Dubai Mall hosted another major highlight of the closing programme with a full 42.195-kilometre marathon held inside the shopping mall. A 21-kilometre half-marathon was also staged, attracting professional and amateur runners.
The marathon and half-marathon formed part of the initiative's competitive programme and provided runners with the opportunity to compete in an indoor mall environment. The leading finishers in both races were honoured following the competitions in recognition of their performances.
The closing activities followed a three-month programme that combined organised races with community walking and running opportunities across participating destinations.
Partners recognised
Partners and supporters were also honoured during the closing events for their contributions to Dubai Mallathon. The Dubai Sports Council recognised their cooperation throughout the three-month initiative, including their work in preparing venues, supporting event organisation and encouraging participation among different sections of society.
Government and private-sector entities participated in the initiative from its launch on 15 June. Their involvement brought employees and their families into the programme, adding workplace and family participation to the wider community effort.
Official sponsors included Al Ameen Service, Mai Dubai, Huawei and Yango Group, which supported the initiative during its second edition.
Dubai Mallathon was launched in line with the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033, while also supporting the goals of the Year of the Family 2026.
The family-focused element encouraged relatives to participate in sporting activities together in a safe and comfortable environment. The programme sought to strengthen family participation in physical activity while supporting wider quality-of-life objectives across the community.
The initiative was launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2025. Its inaugural edition set a Guinness World Record for the largest number of participants in a running race inside a shopping mall, with more than 1,300 people taking part in a single race at Dubai Hills Mall.