Chennai Hosts First Mallathon at Phoenix Marketcity
<p><strong>Chennai Hosts Its First-Ever Mallathon at Phoenix Marketcity & Palladium</strong></p><p><strong>Chennai:</strong> The city witnessed a <strong>fitness first</strong> as <strong>Phoenix Marketcity & Palladium</strong> hosted Chennai’s debut <strong>Mallathon</strong> — a <strong>5 km indoor race</strong> turning shop floors, corridors, and atriums into running tracks. Over <strong>500 participants</strong> sprinted past escalators and storefronts, combining sport with fun.</p><p>Nearly <strong>1,000 runners registered</strong>, but the number was capped at 500 to ensure safety. The idea came from <strong>Karun</strong>, founder of <strong>Cloka Running Club</strong>, who was inspired after seeing Dubai’s viral Mallathon Reel. “If Dubai can do it, why not Chennai? Launching this in namma Chennai was truly special,” he said.</p><p>The event offered more than racing, featuring <strong>warm-up Zumba, guided stretching</strong>, and ending with a <strong>high-energy coffee rave</strong>. Rewards, pit stops, and entertainment kept the energy high throughout.</p><p>Globally, Chennai follows <strong>Dubai’s lead</strong>, where the emirate hosted its first official Mallathon in <strong>August 2025</strong>, supported by <strong>Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed</strong>. With outdoor temperatures soaring past <strong>50°C</strong>, Dubai malls opened their doors for <strong>2.5 km, 5 km, and 10 km indoor races</strong>, providing a <strong>safe, climate-controlled environment</strong> for participants.</p>