Hundreds of contestants have gathered beside a Tokyo river to compete in an event called a "bread-eating race."

The contest held on Saturday along the Meguro River in Meguro Ward required participants to seize bread suspended from a pole using only their mouths. About 400 people including children took part.

One of the races involved groups of four contestants sprinting toward buns filled with sweet red beans, hung 15 meters away.

They tried to grab the buns with their mouths amid cheers from spectators.

A woman who took part with her son said the bread tasted delicious after the run. She said she walks along the river and was delighted to participate.

One of the organizers, Kashiwai Eiichi, said he was glad to see so many people joining in.

The Meguro River is famous for its hundreds of cherry trees which bloom in spring. Kashiwai said he hopes to attract visitors in other seasons as well, through various events.