“Out in Gobi Desert, the crowd, many in colourful Mongolian traditional dress, admire the shaggy-haired, cud-chewing camels as they plod by in a beauty parade. Later, many of their owners mount their beasts to drive them on a dusty, chaotic 15-kilometre race across the steppeland. It's all part of Mongolia's Camel Festival – an event as central traditional nomadic life as the bactrian camel itself, a wooly, two-humped beast that sports a flowing beard of hair. Guinness World Records classes the race, that is part of the two-day festival, as the largest camel race in the world, drawing 1,108 participants from across Mongolia to the site outside Dalanzadgad in Umnugovi province. This year, the winning camel romped home in 35 minutes and 12 seconds on the wind-swept steppe, according to the records website. The bactrian camel itself is a beast of burden that normally carries everything that is required for a Mongolian to be able to build and live in a traditional Mongolian tent. They cost about $750 per piece. Fairly or unfairly known for their feisty temperament, some plough uncontrolled into the crowd of spectators, though no injuries are reported. Many people trekked seven hours from the capital Ulan Bator to watch the competition. There are minimal conditions to enter: the camels must be pure breed Mongolian bactrian and at least four years old. Entry is free. Camel wool is vital for making clothes, blankets, jackets and socks, and also cane be twined into rope. Camel meat, similar to goat, is eaten in steamed and fried dumplings”. – B. Rentsendorj and Terrence Edwards via Reuters



Camels breathe in cold weather during “Temeenii bayar”, the Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 7, 2016. On the steppes of the Gobi Desert, the crowd urges on Bactrian camels laden down with all that's needed to build and live in a traditional Mongolian tent. Guinness World Records classes the 15 km race thatÕs part of the two-day festival as the largest camel race in the world, drawing 1,108 participants. The winning camel romped home in 35 minutes and 12 seconds, according to the records website. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)





People sit on a cart with a camel tied to it during “Temeenii bayar”, the Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 6, 2016. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)





People wearing traditional costumes wait for a parade on the back of camels during “Temeenii bayar”, the Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 6, 2016. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)





Contestants ride during a camel race at “Temeenii bayar”, the Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 7, 2016. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)





A man leads camels during “Temeenii bayar”, the Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 6, 2016. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)





People crowd to watch a camel parade during “Temeenii bayar”, the Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 6, 2016. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)





Contestants ride during a camel race at “Temeenii bayar”, the Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 7, 2016. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)





Contestants ride during a camel race at “Temeenii bayar”, the Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 7, 2016. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)





Children ride camels during “Temeenii bayar”, Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 6, 2016. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)





People wearing Mongolian costumes chat in front of their camels during “Temeenii bayar”, the Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 6, 2016. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)





People wearing traditional costumes wait for a parade on the back of camels during “Temeenii bayar”, the Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 6, 2016. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)





A child rides a camel during “Temeenii bayar”, the Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 6, 2016. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)





Contestants ride during a camel race at “Temeenii bayar”, the Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 7, 2016. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)





Camels are seen against sunset during “Temeenii bayar”, the Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 6, 2016. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)





People crowd to watch a camel parade during “Temeenii bayar”, the Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 6, 2016. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)





People wearing traditional costumes wait for a parade on the back of camels during “Temeenii bayar”, the Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 6, 2016. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)





People play camel polo during “Temeenii bayar”, the Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 6, 2016. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)





A camel kneels down during “Temeenii bayar”, the Camel Festival, in Dalanzadgad, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, March 7, 2016. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)