Crowds in the stands
Despite strong winds that whipped up a sandstorm,
hundreds of local Saharawis turned out to cheer their favourite camel.
The grandstands echoed to the ululations of female supporters, and a special
enclosure was reserved for local dignitaries.
A race by 468 camels around a 4km-track in Layoune, in Western Sahara, has, say the organisers, broken a world record with some 100 more entrants than previously recorded - although this is still to be ratified.
It was the high point in a week-long festival celebrating the culture of the Saharawi people.
The entrants included 100 one-humped dromedaries, known as Arabian camels, and 200 Bactrian camels, which have two humps.
Cheering crowds
Saharawi women wear long flowing robes known as melhfa.
Women here enjoy a greater status within the family than in Morocco to the north.
The festival's organiser, a woman, said female camels run faster than male ones.
"It's natural, women are better than men," Hajbouha Zoubeir added.
Check out these pictures of "Desert Riders" from BBC's website.
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