More than 600 babies in Japan wriggled to the finish line on their hands and knees in the world's largest crawling competition on Monday.

Japanese publisher Benesse organised the one-day event at a shopping mall in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, inviting infants aged between six months and one year and four months to participate in the three-metre (10-foot) race.

Some vigorous babies crawled determinedly towards the finish line and their waiting parents, while others refused to participate, sitting stationary on the starting line and crying loudly.

"About a month ago she could not crawl well over a long distance, but I am so glad to see her grow," said Hitomi Nanba, mother of Saho, who took part in the race.

Photo: AFP

The competition, involving 601 babies, was logged as a new Guinness World Record, replacing the previous record of 451 infants at a similar race in China last year.

The winner was awarded a headset digital camera, which allows parents to take pictures and videos of their children with their hands free.