Camel racing has deep roots in UAE heritage, and every year in Dubai, jockeys set out — either on race tracks or in the desert — to stage one of the most important cultural festivals in the country.
The first weekend of this month was the beginning of the latest Camel Trek Marathon, which has a series of races that culminate on January 6.
The National's Chris Whiteoak went to Al Marmoom Race Track to take shots of the preliminary race for expatriates, organised by the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre.
The race this year attracted a diverse mix of 22 participants from 15 countries, including Germany, Italy, China, Saudi Arabia, France, Jordan and Luxembourg — all of whom were trained for months by the heritage centre.
Some have joined previous camel treks, while others were taking part for the first time this year.
"It's been a very interesting experience so far," Enoch Castleberry, a first-time camel racer, tells The National. "I signed up after I saw a big billboard on the side of the highway with a beautiful picture of the desert with some camels."
The Dubai resident started his training shortly after signing up, dedicating up to four days a week to learn how to ride a camel.
“It’s been really fun to spend time with these animals that you often see in the desert but you never think, 'oh I would go ride one'."
He said these camel races, which are held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, are important "because it really does open our eyes as foreigners and expats to the local culture".
The preliminary race will be followed by another round on December 2, aptly coinciding with UAE National Day.
Camel racing is a staple during National Day celebrations, paying homage to the animals who have been essential companions of the Bedouin for centuries.
The main and final race will be on January 6, just days after the end of the weeks-long camel trek, which is a separate event organised by the heritage centre.
Some participants in the races are also taking part in the trek, which begins on December 18 and ends on December 31.
During the preliminary race, German student Emilia Piesker, 14, emerged as the winner, covering the 1,500-metre track in one minute and 55.78 seconds.
Jordanian expat Rawan was a close second, finishing the race in one minute and 55.81 seconds.
Chinese citizen Xiaozhe Huo was third with a time of one minute and 58.75 seconds.
The mother of the winner, Pauline Piesker, who also participated in the race, expressed pride in her daughter's performance, saying "our participation last year in the camel ride earned us a lot of experience and skills".
“I work as a teacher, and I must say that participating in annual heritage sport shows you an aspect that gives you a complete picture of Dubai," Peskier said.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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More on Quran memorisation:
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
Afghanistan fixtures
- v Australia, today
- v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
- v New Zealand, Saturday,
- v South Africa, June 15
- v England, June 18
- v India, June 22
- v Bangladesh, June 24
- v Pakistan, June 29
- v West Indies, July 4
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching