The centre of Buenos Aires was transformed into a race track on Saturday, as waiters from across Argentina descended on their capital for the annual Waiters Race.

The competition saw hundreds of contestants from the South American country's top hotels, restaurants and clubs compete on a 1.6 km track in the heart of the capital.

Racing along the street, competitors struggled to keep the contents on their trays from dropping.

"I'm used to my work but here it's in the open air. The wind can actually play against you and for some blocks my body was trembling... at the last lap turn I ran on my last breath," said competitor Federico Rodriguez.

Competitors showed off their speed and agility while vying for a cash prize of $30,000 pesos, almost £4,000 in prize money.

Organised by associations of hoteliers and restauranteurs in Argentina, the race has become an annual fixture for Buenos Aires' waiters and waitresses.

Argentina's competition is based on a race that began in Paris in 1904.