If you want to experience a deeply rooted Emirati tradition, head to a camel race. The closest track to Dubai is Al Marmoum, about 40km south en route to Al Ain. Races are usually held in the early morning on Fridays, but there is no fixed schedule. Check www.dubaicalendar.ae or ask at your hotel. In April, the track hosts the Al Marmoum Heritage Festival with numerous races featuring thousands of camels.
All the live commentary and announcements are in Arabic only.
Camel racing has been part of Middle Eastern culture for centuries; some historians trace them back to the 7th century. In general, most of the grandstand will be taken up with owners, trainers and handlers with usually just a handful of tourists. That said, visitors are made very welcome, and it is certainly a memorable experience. You can expect to see, literally, hundreds of camels flying out of their pens, kicking up dust and jostling for position in a lumbering gallop with legs splayed out in all directions, scrambling towards the finish line at top speeds of 40km/h. Fastened to their backs are robot jockeys with remote-controlled whips operated by the owners while driving their white SUVs on a separate track alongside the animals.
To get here, take exit 37 from the Al Ain Rd (E66).
