'They are all gorgeous': Thousands gather for international corgi race in Lithuania

You've heard of horse racing and greyhound racing – and in Australia we even have the eyebrow-raising cane toad racing – but have you ever heard of corgi racing?

If you haven't, brace yourself for some overwhelming cuteness because the annual Vilnius International Corgi Race took place in Lithuania over the weekend and it was just as adorable as it sounds.

Thousands gathered in the Lithuanian capital to watch the race as more than 100 short-legged furballs competed for the win.

Watch the video above.

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In several heats, the corgis took to the starting gate, similar to those you would see at a horse race, as attendees watched on from packed stands.

They waited with their owners as an emcee counted down from three to one. Then the gate was lifted and the corgis leapt into action racing down the racecourse as attendees cheered them on.

Each corgi wore a different coloured bandana to differentiate themselves among the pack of speedy pets.

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At the finish line, their owners called the corgis towards them. Some of them got distracted by people on the sidelines as others remained focused on the finish line.

The event was even broadcast live with commentators unpacking the event as it unfolded.

"They are all gorgeous and just the fact that they're getting out here and doing their best regardless of what happens it is a lovely experience," a Fox News commentator said after heat number three.

His co-commentator added: "You've got to love a little cotton ball with itty-bitty legs."

A whopping 120 teams from countries around Europe, including Poland, Latvia, Germany, Australia and Italy took part in the adorable event, held in Vilnius' Vignis Park.

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The event included several 25-metre sprints, 50-metre race heats, a number of semi-finals and a grand final.

For the not-so-speedy, the event also included a "mightiest voice contest", a "puzzle contest" and a "costume contest".

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