World · East Asia & Pacific · 4 hrs ago
Malaysia runners move workouts indoors as haze from Indonesian fires spreads
Runners in Malaysia moved their workouts into a mall to avoid unhealthy air from forest-fire haze.
The group Active Chimp held a run along the air-conditioned shopping corridors of Atria Mall in Petaling Jaya.
Fires in Indonesia’s Kalimantan region sent haze across the border into Malaysia.
The ongoing fires have caused hundreds of thousands of respiratory illness cases in Indonesia and worsened air quality in Malaysia and Singapore.
Some runners said they missed running outdoors and tracking their pace.
The cross-border haze has drawn strong criticism in the region, while the fires continue.
Haze from Indonesian forest fires has led runners in Malaysia to move their workouts indoors.
A fitness group held a run through the corridors of Atria Mall in Petaling Jaya.
Group founder Keith Tan said the haze made outdoor running unsafe.
The mall offered air conditioning and protection from traffic, haze and uneven roads.
Some runners said they missed running outdoors and monitoring their pace.
- Who
- Runners in Malaysia, including members of the Active Chimp fitness group.
- What
- They moved their running workouts indoors to avoid exposure to poor air quality.
- When
- Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
- Where
- Atria Mall in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
- Why
- Haze from forest fires in Indonesia made outdoor running unsafe.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Fires in Indonesia worsened air quality in Malaysia and other neighbouring areas.
Runners took part in an indoor run at Atria Mall in Petaling Jaya.
- Location
- Atria Mall, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
- Fitness group
- Active Chimp
- Founder
- Keith Tan
- Run date
- October 28, 2026
- Fire location
- Kalimantan, Indonesia