As temperatures touch 50 deg C, Dubai runners turn to indoor marathon
People take part in Dubai Mallathon 2025, at the City Centre Mirdif mall in Dubai on August 9.
DUBAI – Early on Saturday, as temperatures soared outside, a sprawling shopping centre in Dubai echoed to the squeak of sneakers as hundreds of people joined 'Mallathon' – an indoor, air-conditioned race.
The government-backed initiative aims to encourage exercise during August, often the United Arab Emirates' hottest month, and make use of Dubai's giant malls which are otherwise empty at that time.
Running outside during summer in the Gulf, one of the world's hottest regions where temperatures sometimes top 50 deg C, is unpleasant and even unsafe for many.
'If you run outside, it's not healthy at all because temperatures are around 40C to 50C,' said one runner who gave his name as Rai, his platinum-blond hair pulled back with a headband.
Participants wearing 'Dubai Mallathon' T-shirts and sports gear ran and walked past closed stores along vacant, marbled halls that were set to be teeming with shoppers hours later.
Throughout August, nine of the city's shopping centres – including the cavernous Dubai Mall, one of the world's biggest – are open daily for runners and walkers from 7am-10am.
On weekends, runners can enter organised 10km, 5km or 2.5km races at designated malls, complete with podium presentations and prizes.
During Saturday's race at the City Centre Mirdif mall, two robots buzzed around the participants, who paused to take selfies with them.
Others waited in line to use electric bikes that powered blenders to make healthy smoothies.
Mallathon is backed by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 42, whose public profile projects him as an exemplar of active living.
It is one of a number of attempts to steer Dubai's car-loving, mall-rat population towards exercise, including the 30x30 challenge, where residents are encouraged to exercise 30 minutes a day for a month.
Obesity rates in the energy-rich Gulf country regularly top global charts.
A study published by The Lancet in March predicted a staggering 94 per cent of UAE males would be overweight or obese by 2050 – the highest in the world.
Partly to blame is the furnace-like heat that ravages the region for several months a year, and is steadily growing more intense.
The UAE had its hottest April on record this year, and then breached its May high two days in a row. On August 1, temperatures reached 51.8 deg C, just shy of the national record of 52 deg C.
Menna, a 36-year-old Egyptian who has lived in Dubai for 15 years, said there was 'no way' she would exercise outside in the summer.
But in the mall, 'we have air-conditioning, first aid, water... there's everything that you need'.
'It motivates you more when other people are doing it too,' she added.
Fouzeya Faridoon, head of social activities at Dubai Sports Council, said more than 500 people had signed up for Saturday's event, which was free.
'The idea is to encourage people to exercise, especially walking and running, even in the summer,' she told AFP.
Children, men, women and at least one person with a disability were among the participants who collected a medal and a bag of freebies at the finish line.
Zamani, a Sri Lankan tourist, was one of the runners, along with her young children.
'I like the energy, everybody is all geared up,' the 46-year-old said. 'It's very modern and chic.' AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
9 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Actor Zheng Geping is on 2025's National Day Awards list
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Zheng Geping has been serving the community for nearly 15 years. He joined a community volunteer group at the urging of a friend. SINGAPORE – Local actor-producer Zheng Geping is on 2025's National Day Awards list, and will receive the Public Service Medal (Pingat Bakti Masyarakat or PBM). The 61-year-old told Chinese-language evening daily Shin Min Daily News that he learnt of his award from Ms Mariam Jaafar, an MP for Sembawang GRC. Zheng said he had not told anyone about the award except his family, believing that he had made only a small contribution to the community. He is married to local actress Hong Huifang, 64, and they have two children – actress Tay Ying, 29, and singer-actor Calvert Tay, 25. Tay Ying tied the knot with celebrity chef Wu Sihan , 33, in June. Zheng has been serving the community for nearly 15 years and said he joined the Woodlands community volunteer group at the urging of a friend. 'I joined out of curiosity, wanting to know what the volunteer group does, since I don't live in Woodlands,' he told Shin Min. Asked what he did, he said: 'Various activities, such as distributing supplies to underprivileged families, performing at festive events, fund-raising activities and assisting at Meet-the-People sessions,' he said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Keppel to sell M1's telco business to Simba for $1.43b, says deal expected to benefit consumers Business Singtel, StarHub shares fall after announcement of Keppel's M1 sale Singapore ST Explains: Who owns Simba, the company that is buying M1? Singapore Hyflux issued preference shares to fund Tuaspring as it had problems getting bank loans: Prosecution Singapore S'pore Govt asks inactive political parties including Barisan Sosialis for proof of existence Opinion Trump's trade deals have one giant contradiction Singapore Man's claim amid divorce that his mother is true owner of 3 properties cuts no ice with judge Opinion Anwar's government: Full house but plenty of empty offices Zheng felt that it was very meaningful as he was able to give back to society. He added that the most touching thing was seeing the happy reactions of the residents, especially when he takes the elderly from nursing homes for a walk. 'The residents we helped still remember us, and that's very touching,' he said. He added that while he was not able to help out when he was filming or working overseas, he would try to make time for it otherwise. Zheng also encourages his two children to volunteer. 'I have a celebrity club that frequently organises events, such as fund-raising to help disadvantaged families, and my two children also take part in them,' he said. 'Huifang will also join me, like taking part in community event performances, if she is not filming or promoting her shows.'
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Concert review: Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra's concert celebrates Asean's musical heritage
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra performed a concert celebrating Asean composers at Victoria Concert Hall on Aug 10. Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra Victoria Concert Hall Aug 10, 4.30pm There was a definite Asean flavour to the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra's (ACSO) latest concert jointly conducted by Dedric Wong and Adrian Chiang.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Mama Shelter Singapore opens on Sep 23, with rooms from $190 a night
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Mama Shelter Singapore will be the French brand's first hotel in Asia. SINGAPORE – New boutique hotel Mama Shelter Singapore will mark the brand's debut in Asia when it opens on Sept 23. The hotel will have 115 rooms across seven floors and be situated in Killiney Road, a five-minute walk from Somerset MRT station and Singapore's shopping belt. Founded in France in 2008 by entrepreneur Serge Trigano – the former president of hospitality company Club Med – and his sons Jeremie and Benjamin, Mama Shelter has 19 properties globally . Eleven are in French cities like Nice, Toulouse and Rennes. Mama Shelter is part of lifestyle hospitality company Ennismore – a joint venture with French hospitality group Accor – which develops and operates lifestyle brands around the world. At the Singapore property, an entry-level room of 15 sq m will cost from $190 a night, inclusive of breakfast for two guests, for bookings made before Aug 31 . Subsequently, average nightly rates will start at $240 . Nearly half the rooms will come with a private terrace – a feature not found in its other properties. Boutique hotel Mama Shelter Singapore will open on Sept 23. ST PHOTO: SARAH STANLEY 'Singapore felt like a natural choice for Mama Shelter's first step into Asia. It is a city that thrives on diversity, creativity and contrast,' says Mr Sylvain Pasdeloup, executive vice-president of Asia-Pacific at Ennismore. 'These are values that sit at the heart of Mama Shelter. There is a real energy here, a sense of possibility that we connected with from the beginning.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Keppel to sell M1's telco business to Simba for $1.43b, says deal expected to benefit consumers Business Singtel, StarHub shares fall after announcement of Keppel's M1 sale Opinion Anwar's government: Full house but plenty of empty offices Singapore S'pore Govt asks inactive political parties including Barisan Sosialis for proof of existence Singapore 79 arrested, over 3kg of heroin seized in 5-day drug blitz Singapore Man's claim amid divorce that his mother is true owner of 3 properties cuts no ice with judge Asia Tourist spots in South Korea face complaints over rude service, price gouging during peak season Singapore Healthy lifestyle changes could save Singapore $650 million in healthcare costs by 2050: Study The brand positions itself as the antithesis of static, unimaginative accommodation. Properties feature striking artwork on walls, ceilings and floors, and are furnished with eccentric, eye-catching decor. For instance, Mama Shelter Singapore's ground-floor restaurant is decked out in leopard-print settees and patterned red carpets, while the ceiling – courtesy of Parisian street artist Beniloys – is elaborately hand-painted with local motifs like orchid flowers and a plane that reads Air Singapore . French design and interiors studio Dion & Arles was engaged to give the hotel its distinctive look and feel – one that the brand's chief operating officer Cedric Gobilliard describes as 'bold, fun, a little rebellious – but never fake'. Nearly half of the 115 rooms at Mama Shelter Singapore will feature private terraces. There will also be connecting rooms with separate private terraces. PHOTO: MAMA SHELTER SINGAPORE 'Mama Shelter is more than just a hotel – it's a vibrant place made for locals, not just travellers. Mama is where people from the neighbourhood come to eat, drink, meet friends and enjoy life,' he says. It is this ebullience that Mr Xavier Pougnard, Mama Shelter Singapore's general manager, plans to weave into the service standards of his roughly 90 staff. With over two decades of experience in hospitality, including stints at five-star hotels The Peninsula Hong Kong and Shangri-La Singapore, he says: 'All the small touchpoints that create a great experience need to be pleasant, and even though we're creating a fun environment, we cannot confuse that with complacency.' To further create a sense of place, the team curated the hotel's playlist, which includes songs by local and regional artistes, and created a downloadable city guide for guests, which will also be available on Google Maps and Apple Maps. Live entertainment will be a regular fixture on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as on Sunday for brunch between 11.30am and 3.30pm. Mr Pougnard's favourite part of the hotel is the main pool on the rooftop. Yellow and blue-green tiles create an intricate mosaic on the pool floor that brings to life a Wes Anderson-esque whimsy, in line with the rest of the hotel's character. He points out two chess tables – similar to those found at older Housing Board void decks around Singapore – built along the inner pool wall and mostly submerged. 'That part is really cool. It's cheeky, it's fun, it's playful, and it surprises anyone who sees it,' he says. 'It comes together with everything else. It's Mama.'
