The UAE National Day Camel Marathon - in pictures

The annual event took place at the Al Marmoom Camel Racing Track in Dubai

Camel jockeys compete during the annual UAE National Day Camel Marathon at Al Marmoom Camel Racing Track in Dubai on January 14. All photos: EPA / Ali Haider

This edition of the marathon marks the UAE's 50th National Day that was celebrated on December 2.

The race was organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre in conjunction with the Arabian Camel Festival.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, is patron of the event.

Jockey Kassab Al Ahbabi on camel Lattam, reacts after winning the annual UAE National Day Camel Marathon (50th anniversary) at Al Marmoom Camel Racing Track in the Gulf emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 14 January 2022. This edition of the UAE Camel Marathon is on the occasion of the celebration of the 50th National Day, which was celebrated on 02 December, and is organized by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC), in conjunction with the Arabian Camel Festival, and under the patronage of H. H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council. EPA / ALI HAIDER

Jockeys line up to compete in the annual event.

Some camels needed a little persuading to join the starting line.

Jockeys wait for the race to start.

And they're off: the 50th anniversary race begins.

A jockey races to the finish line.

Riders head off into the sunset after the race.

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