Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has directed that the Dubai Mallathon be held annually over a three-month period from 15 June to 15 September across shopping malls in the city.
The decision aims to expand the initiative’s reach and encourage wider public participation.
The announcement follows the success of the inaugural edition, which concluded last week after drawing more than 40,000 participants of all ages and nationalities. The event also set a Guinness World Record at Dubai Hills Mall, where 1,392 runners competed in a single mall race.
Sheikh Hamdan praised the Mallathon’s impact, highlighting its role in promoting sports as a way of life and a driver of social cohesion. He noted that the directive reflects Dubai’s vision to build a healthy and active society while reinforcing the city’s standing as a global destination for innovative community sporting events.
Over its first month, the Mallathon logged more than 120 million steps across nine malls, featuring events such as a 42-kilometre marathon and a special race marking Emirati Women’s Day. Sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and supported by the Dubai Sports Council, the initiative aligns with the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033 and the Dubai Social Agenda 33.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
