Dubai Mallathon Concludes Second Edition With Record Turnout of More Than 160,000 Participants
Umer Jamshaid
Published September 18, 2026 | 10:45 PM
DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 18th Sep, 2026) Under the patronage of H.H. 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.
Held from 15 June to 15 September, the initiative, organised by the Dubai Sports Council in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, attracted record participation and a strong community response, solidifying its position as one of the region’s leading community sports initiatives.
A total of 160,475 participants of diverse ages and nationalities collectively logged over 290 million steps across participating shopping malls and destinations.
Combining physical activity with social interaction, the Dubai-wide initiative encouraged walking and running as daily habits and raised awareness about the importance of sport in enhancing health and quality of life.
Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, emphasised that Dubai’s sports sector continues to strive for excellence through innovative community initiatives.
"The response to Dubai Mallathon has been remarkable,” he stated. “Professional athletes, amateur runners, beginners, and families all participated. Their enthusiasm illustrated how sport can bring our community together and foster a greater willingness to engage in physical activity."
Belhoul added, "The initiative’s success underscores the leadership’s commitment to improving the quality of life in Dubai and making sport an integral part of everyday life, contributing to building a healthier, happier society. With Dubai Mallathon, we are making significant strides towards achieving the goals of the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033. We aim to encourage more people to exercise regularly and participate in a wider range of sporting events, thereby improving health and well-being across our community."
He concluded, "We appreciate the participants' positive spirit, which reflects Dubai’s reputation as one of the world’s most vibrant cities, constantly moving forward with energy. In Dubai, we place the utmost importance on sustaining community sporting events and fostering an environment that encourages physical activity throughout the year. We will continue to develop inclusive sporting activities suitable for both winter and summer, ensuring that Dubai remains a leading global destination offering an integrated and sustainable sports ecosystem that caters to everyone’s aspirations."
Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, noted that the initiative’s success and impressive turnout demonstrate the strength of Dubai’s sports sector and the ability of its teams to craft innovative solutions to keep people active year-round.