Omani Federation “Hybrid” Race – January 2026

Race Format and “Hybrid” Structure

Despite the term “hybrid” being used, this event is a traditional in-person camel racing festival rather than a hybrid physical/virtual run. In context, “hybrid race” refers to Oman’s heritage camel races (the Arabic word “hijin” for racing camels was mistranslated as “hybrid”). All races occur live on the track with trained racing camels; there is no virtual participation for remote runners or cyclists. However, the Federation often broadcasts the races and results to the public, allowing fans to follow remotely. Modern technology is integrated through the use of robotic jockeys (remotely controlled riding devices) on the camels, except for a few special rounds with human jockeys. Overall, the event’s format is an on-site camel racing competition, celebrated as a sporting and cultural festival in person.

Race Categories and Distances

Each day of the meet features multiple race categories based on the age class of the camels, with set distances for each:

• Haqa’iq (young camels ~2 years old) – ~4 km races (Day 1). The opening day has 34 rounds of 4 km races for this category(split into morning and evening sessions).

• Laqaya (3-year-old camels) – ~5 km races (Day 2). The second day runs 24 rounds of 5 km races for the Laqaya category.

• Yithaa (4-year-old camels, also called Al-Yadha’) – ~6 km races (Day 3). The third day includes 14 rounds of 6 km races in this class.

• Thanaya and Houl/Zamoul (older camels, 5 years and up) – ~8 km races (Day 4). The final day features 8 km races (12 rounds) for the Thanaya (five-year-olds) and Al-Houl/Al-Zamoul (six-year-old and older) camels n addition, special short races (2 km) with human jockeys riding camels are held on the final day – one in the morning for Zamoul camels and two in the evening for Thanaya/Houl – as a nod to tradition.

Each category’s races are run in multiple rounds (heats) given the large number of participating camels. For example, the Haqa’iq 4km races alone are split into 34 separate heats on Day 1 This packed program ensures excitement across all four days, with hundreds of camels competing. The structured distances per age group are designed to match the camels’ capabilities – shorter distances for the youngest camels, and longer distances (up to ~8 km) for the mature camels in the final rounds.