Thousands dash through Japan's shrine to be 'luckiest man of the new year'

33-year-old high school physical education teacher from Osaka, was the fastest runner.

NISHINOMIYA (Reuters) - About 5,000 people made a chaotic dash through a Japan’s shrine on Friday (January 10) aiming to grab the honour of the "luckiest man of the new year".

The annual frenzy kicked off at 6 a.m. local time (2100 GMT Thursday) as a drum was beaten and the giant wooden gate opened to unleash the manic crowds into the short 230 metre (754 feet) race. The first three people to cross the finish line and be grabbed by three priests were named the "lucky men" of the year.

Yusuke Kurogi, 33-year-old high school physical education teacher from Osaka, was the fastest runner among the "lucky men". Kurogi who won the race at the 13th attempt told media that he wishes to share his luck with others as much as possible.

Nishinomiya Shrine is dedicated to the god of businessmen and merchants. According to the shrine officials, the tradition of locals hurrying to become the first person to offer prayers on this day started around the 17th century. The rush eventually turned into a race as people tried to outrun each other and the shrine officially started recognising the winner of the race.