Two women have crossed the finish line to become the first Emirati women to compete side by side with men in a camel race in the UAE.
Khawla Al Balooshi and Hakima Ghaith successfully took part in the preliminary race for the annual UAE National Day Camel Marathon at the weekend at Al Marmoom Race Track in Dubai.
Riding on the four-kilometre track, Ms Al Balooshi, 28, competed in the 18-29 age category, while Ms Ghaith, 38, took part in the over-30s group.
camel rider
Both women said they were thrilled to be given the opportunity to become the first Emirati women to participate in an official camel race in the UAE.
Ms Ghaith said her participation proved that women "can excel in all fields, including heritage sports".
“In my daily life I work in the field of aviation as a ground employee, and this type of heritage sports gives me a lot of positive energy,” she said.
The second preliminary race is scheduled for December 3, coinciding with the country's 50th National Day, while the main marathon will be held on January 14.
In the opening race at the weekend, Issa Al Ahbabi won first place in the 18-29 age group, finishing in six minutes and 35 seconds, while Yahya Al Mallai came out on top among the over-30s with a time of seven minutes and five seconds.
The National Day Camel Marathon is held annually in conjunction with the Arabian Camel Festival under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, Crown Prince of Dubai.
In pictures - first all-female camel racing team in Dubai
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Katie Higgins is part of the first all-female camel racing team in the UAE. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Ms Higgins (second from left) and Linda Krockenberger (third from left) at the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Centre in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Ms Higgins competed in the first Female Camel Racing Series C1 Championship at Al Marmoom Camel Racing Track in October. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Irish art teacher says she used to be petrified of camels. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Ms Higgins says each camel has its own personality. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Ms Higgins and Ms Krockenberger set up the UAE’s first camel racing team, made up solely of women, after a chance meeting on social media. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Ms Higgins and Ms Krockenberger with one of the racing camels. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
While some of the team had horse riding experience, most are completely new to the sport. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The team trains in the mornings and evenings and covers between eight and 12 kilometres in each session. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Female participants compete during the first Female Camel Racing Series C1 Championship at Al Marmoom Camel Racing Track in Dubai. EPA -
Eight female participants took part in the race. EPA -
The all-female camel racing team. EPA -
Travelling at speeds of up to 45kmph, riders hold on to a small handle for support and use a stick to help direct the camel. EPA
