"The Lucky Guy Race" and fortunes

Do you know about the "Lucky Guy Race" which is held at Nishinomiya Shrine every year on January 10th. It is held during the Ebessan festival (I don't think "festival" is the appropriate word to translate this event, but I can not think of any more suitable one...).
About the race, it is one of my dreams to enter and win this race. I think if I could get a front position, which is very difficult to get, I could win. I used to be fast when I was younger. My nickname was "Speedy"! :)

This year a young business man won the race.
This is the article.
"Salaryman wins 'Lucky Men' Race"
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20110111a3.html

About Ebissan, I think Ebisu is the God(=deity) of Merchants, but I could be wrong. Anyway, basically, many people go to Shrines where the Ebisu god is(there are a few of them) and pray for a good year of business. I go every year to Imamiya Shrine, but this year was my first time to go to Nishinomiya Shrine. I was excited to see the inside of the shrine, but unfortunately I couldn't. Because it was toooooooooooo crowded. Unbelievably crowded!!! So after waiting about 15 minutes in line, I gave up and went home. It was a shame.

But, Ms. N was luckier and more patient than I. She waited in the long line for an hour, and after that she picked a fortune. And fortunately, her effort paid off...she got "Big Good Luck!!"

Do you pick a fortune when you go to a shrine or temple around the New Year?
I don't. Because I am afraid of picking "Bad Luck." I don't want to think about bad luck for 365 days.
How about a good luck charm? Do you buy a good luck charm?
I do. Because I want to have something lucky for 365 days.