Registration Is Now Open For The 11km National Day Camel Marathon

The registration for the 11km National Day Camel Marathon, organised annually by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) in collaboration with Dubai Camel Racing Club, opened yesterday – until Thursday (January 21). The highly anticipated event will be held on Friday (January 22) at Dubai’s Al Marmoom racetrack.

The 6th edition of the National Day Camel Marathon is now part of the Arabian Camel Festival under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

Prior to competition on Friday, two preparatory races were held by the HHC for different age groups, covering a distance of 4km and 6km to empower camel riders and test their merits for the main marathon.

Rashid Al Khasouni, Deputy Director of Championships Department at HHC, said: We invite fellow Emiratis to join this edition of the marathon. It is a highly challenging test of endurance, showcasing abilities of true experienced riders. 11km is a long distance compared to standard races that run for only 3kms. The HHC works rigorously to realise the vision of promoting the culture of camel racing to the world, preserving one of the UAE’s intangible cultural heritage related to Bedouin life, and prompting Emiratis to continue the mission.”

“Additionally, this annual camel marathon is a brotherly gathering that brings Emiratis together under the spirit of competition to display their skills and abilities with rewarding prizes,” he added.

Under the umbrella of the ‘Coolest winter in the UAE’, Dubai’s Al Marmoom is the hub for hundreds of camel races every season and a large number of spectators flock to enjoy cool weather at one of UAE’s most distinguished cultural activities.

The 6th National Day Camel Marathon will kick-start at 4pm in Al Marmoom’s main racetrack on Friday.