RAKpedia

Camel Race Track

Camel racing is a unique part of the Arabic heritage. Its value is more than symbolic and races are not only the favourite activities of the local people, but are also a business matter. In recent years, camel racing also became a major tourism attraction offering an amazing experience with Arabic flavour.

There are more than 15 race tracks across the UAE, and Ras Al Khaimah has one of them. It is a 10km long oval fenced track, built in 1990, and it is considered to be one of the best tracks in the country. Apart from the weekly camel races, Ras Al Khaimah holds the annual Camel Race Festival, usually in February. In 2009, it was the 18^th festival and it attracted camel admires and fans of this sport from around the UAE and other Gulf countries.

The age of the camel dictates the selected distance for the race. 2-3 year old camels race 4km, while those over 6 years do the full 10km circuit, this is also the time when camels are physically at their peak. The average time for this distance is 18 minutes. Camels race until they are 12-14 years old and 90% of racing camels are female.

Camel racing receives strong financial support from the ruling family that wants to sustain the camels’ central role in UAE life and to maintain local tradition. Significant money prizes are offered to the owners of the first ten camels arriving at the finish of every race held, and awards are especially high during the holiday seasons. The prize value starts from 500dhs and can go up to hundreds of thousands of dirhams during special events. Additional prizes such as golden swords or cars are also awarded.

For a viewer the most fascinating part is the beginning of the race. A group of camels (usually around 15) is lined up in front of the starting gate and then suddenly released. They often refuse to run or are confused about the direction of the race; this brings laughter to the observers and slight frustration to their owners. The whole race is monitored by a group of men, who not only register the results, but also maintain an order of the races. Additionally, a mobile camera installed on a top of a car follows the camels during the races. Camel races are run according to the annual programs and schedules prepared by the UAE Camel Racing Association. Throughout the entire event, no betting takes place, as it is against principles of Islam.

For a period of time, camel racing was facing some difficulties when the issue of underage jockeys brought controversy to this sport. Firm actions taken by the UAE government have prohibited the involvement of underage jockeys in the races. Protection and support offered to young jockeys and hefty punishment levied on the ones disobeying this law changed the image of this sport. Nowadays, what you can see on the back of the camels are robot riders that are controlled by the remote radio units.

Camel race is an experience not to be missed. It gives an opportunity not only to observe the camels, feel the excitement that accompanies the event, but also to interact with the local people.

LOCATION: Al Sawan area, around 15km from Ras Al Khaimah centre.

From the Lantern R/A drive towards Digdaga (RAK Airport). At the next roundabout in Kharran, turn to the left and then follow the Airport Rd (E18) for about 6km. Then you should see a sign: Traneem Nursery pointing to the right, and that is where you need to turn. After turning right, drive for about 4.5km and when you reach a T-junction you will already see the red track. To go to the START, you should turn right and follow the race track. Pass behind the VIP building and shortly after enter the passage between two tracks. It is here that the races start and finish. Sometimes races take off in different parts of the track, thus you need to drive around to find the start.  

GPS: N25^o40’ 29.93” E55^o55’ 27.69” 

OPEN:The racing season starts in October and ends by March, with races taking place on Fridays and Saturdays, from as early as 6.30am until around 9.30am, when the temperature is still low and pleasant. On any other day you can see camels training.

FEES: Free of charge

NOTE: If you want to ride a camel, you will have to take part in one of the organized desert safaris. 

!NOTE: Recently, the sign indicating the turn to the camel race track has fallen down. To find the right turn look for a shop with a distinctive egg-like windows on the right side of the road, around 6km from the Kharran Roundabout. Turn to the right just before this shop, which, by the way, sells local eggs, and continue to drive along the road until you will see the red track.