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 50C, 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........

© Al Monitor