Could the next big marathon happen under mall lights? Dubai’s first Mallathon draws over 40,000 runners who logged 120 million steps across nine malls and set a Guinness World Record in the finale.
What if your next marathon happened in a mall?Dubai just gave the global running community something new to think about.
The Dubai Mallathon, held this August under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, turned nine shopping centers into air-conditioned racetracks.
More than 40,000 people joined the challenge, clocking over 120 million steps together. The finale at Dubai Hills Mall even set a Guinness World Record, with 1,392 runners taking part in the largest mall-based run ever.
The organizers have already confirmed it will return in 2026, this time bigger and longer.
From June 15 to September 15, multiple malls across the city will once again open their doors for three months of races, fun runs, and fitness activities.
The expansion is designed to make the Mallathon even more inclusive, giving more people the chance to join in while reinforcing Dubai’s goal of making movement a natural part of everyday life.
But what made this year’s edition so special was the atmosphere.
Families turned weekend shopping trips into running adventures. Friends laced up for fun challenges before grabbing brunch. Seasoned marathoners and first-time runners shared the same space, showing that wellness can be both social and accessible.
The highlight was a 42-kilometer marathon indoors, where Victor Kiprono came in first, Godfrey Segule followed in second, and Rio Watson, running as part of the People of Determination, proudly claimed third. A special women’s race on Emirati Women’s Day further underlined the event’s inclusive spirit.
For Filipino runners, who are used to the heat of Roxas Boulevard, the hills of Tagaytay, or the seaside paths of Cebu, the idea of racing inside a mall might sound unusual — but also exciting.
Imagine a 10K looping through the Mall of Asia, or a family run winding across the vast halls of SM Megamall. With the Philippines’ love for both malls and running, it is a concept that feels like it could thrive here too.
With its return already set in Dubai, perhaps the Philippines’ vibrant running community might one day try its own version, blending wellness with the everyday rhythm of mall life.