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Summer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is not for the faint of heart. Mercury rises above 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and the bright sun is amazed at the environment that does not interfere with natural shelters.
Traditionally, the United Arab Emirates has embraced outdoor sports and large-scale fitness events, from desert marathons to beachfront yoga sessions. However, during peak summer, these activities are not only uncomfortable, but also potentially dangerous.
This has impacted new ways for residents and tourists to beat the heat, thanks to innovations such as indoor ski slopes and theme parks. It also led to the first indoor mall run launched in 2017 by Gulf Multi Sport, an Abu Dhabi-based sports event company.
Steve Watson, founder and managing partner of Gulf Multi Sport, says the mall-run concept has inevitably emerged. “We wanted to give people the opportunity to maintain their fitness throughout the oppressively hot summer months,” he told CNN.
Due to the mall culture of the UAE, this idea is uniquely suited to the region. Unlike small malls elsewhere, Abu Dhabi shopping centres are a huge multi-level space connected by escalators and wide passageways.
For example, Yas Mall, the city’s largest, spans 2.5 million square feet (230,000 square meters).
This provides runners with a variety of loops and courses that can accommodate a variety of distances, while avoiding overcrowding and ensuring safety. According to Watson, runners usually start in shifted groups using tip timing instead of mass start.
Since 2017, the company has held mall running events at venues such as Yas Mall, Reem Mall and Ferrari World.
For example, the Reem Mall Run series features four races held every month from June to September. Runners can sign up for individual events, earn points throughout the series, and earn shots that will win Reem Mall’s Champion Runner. Each race has a distance of 2.5km (1.5 miles), 5km (3 miles), and 10km (6 miles) and there is practically an option to participate if you are traveling.
Initially, the event was driven primarily by expatriates, but today there is strong participation from the UAE public, which Watson emphasized as a rewarding change. He said families, women and runners of all ages and fitness levels will be taking part in the race, many of whom will support a variety of charitable causes linked to the event, including cancer awareness and environmental sustainability.
“Our women-only event at Ferrari World attracts over 1,000 runners. Many Emirati women value a supportive and private environment. It has become a community tradition, with fathers running alongside their fathers and a group of friends who support each other,” Watson said.
Martin Collado, who is in his late 70s and often runs with his wife Mary, is usually one of the older participants on the course.
“Running inside the mall is climate controlled, the surface is uniform and good, and it’s good that the Original S guides us. Mall runs are more popular and attracts all ages. You can continue running throughout the year,” he said.
Mallrun is not the only option to continue working in Abu Dhabi throughout the summer. For those craving outside air again this year, Marsanana Night Beach opened this year on the leisure and sports hub Hudait Island near the city centre. Dark after swimming spots offer a refreshing way to go when the heat of the day goes away.
This is not a new concept in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai previously opened a beach in Jumeirah at night, but this is the first time I’ve come to Abu Dhabi.
Even at night, the sand remains heated underfoot, and the stationary waters of the Persian Gulf, the hottest ocean on the planet, are the walls of the bathtub. Beach fans can recline into the bed under the umbrella despite the lack of sun in the shade.
“It’s been much more difficult to find outdoor activities here once, and certainly most of the summer is indoors, but we love having this new option, and it’s just a short drive from home.”
The sun sets in Abu Dhabi at 7pm in July and about an hour before the end of September. This is when the evening beach session ends. As soon as the light goes out, the floodlights will turn on and the venue will open from 10pm Monday through Thursday and from late night Friday through Sunday.
Abduljeez Manea, an emirati who works in Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry, says the beaches give residents and tourists the opportunity to experience nature as well. “The sand here is too hot to walk in the daytime, so opening at night is a more suitable idea. We can sit outside in a more relaxed, peaceful environment, still walking barefoot and enjoy the benefits of the beach we love.”
Importantly, Abdulla Yousuf, head of International Business Division of Abu Dhabi’s Cultural and Tourism, said it would also bring more economic opportunities to the area and set foot in nearby restaurants and shops.
“By providing safe and convenient access to beaches after dark, we are improving the quality of life in our community and expanding the Emirate’s appeal as a summer tourist destination,” he told CNN.
