Only the carrier has to enter the race.
Males or females carry a 'wife' (who must be at least 18 and can be male or female, and does not need to be the carrier's wife). All those carried must wear a helmet.
All entrants will start off at the same time, and the first over the line is the winner. However, there will be time penalties for dropping the 'wife.' Obstacles and water hazards may be included.
Last placed finishers receive the ceremonial Pot Noodle and dog food.
How they do it abroad.... (BBC video)
Homepage of World Championships (Finland)
How to be a Master wife carrier
The 4th UK Wife Carrying Race took place on Sunday 6 March 2011, featuring a course of around 250m, and including around 10m of acent and descent.
A total of 17 brave couples (including one all-male and one all-female team) competed in 2011, making this the largest ever field assembled for wife-carrying in the UK.
The race was won by Sam Trowbridge (23) and his bride-to-be Nathalie, in a fine time of 1:50.64, just three second outside of the course record.
Thanks to all valiant participants!
Eight couples managed to complete the course - John and his partner broke the course record (despite coming a cropper at the straw bale hazard on the way out) and finished in 1:47.38.
Thanks to everyone who ran/carried/was carried.
Well, that was fun! The 2nd Wife Carrying Race and the Leith Hill Half Marathon brought competitors to Dorking from across the country and from around the world on Sunday 8 March 2009. The races aid a number of local charities including the Rainbow Trust and Rianna's Fund, and are sponsored by the Pilgrim Brewery in Reigate. The races are also supported by Dorking and Mole Valley Athletic Club. The races take place with the kind permission of the Surrey Wildlife Trust and the National Trust.
Video (YouTube - Chris O'C) |
The first UK Wife Carrying Race has been staged in Dorking, on 9th March 2008. The race is modelled on popular races in the Finland, Estonia and the US. Photos (2008) 2008 Video (Quicktime, 20Mb) Three brave couples took part: Joel Hicks and Wendy Cook, Ian and Kath Phillips, and Kevin Bailey and Kim Lowe. Joel opted for the transverse fireman's carry, while the other two couples went for the classic piggyback. Joel Hicks (a veteran fundraiser who had travelled from Hinkley, Leicestershire, in order to take part) was dressed as a baby, complete with nappy and fetching blue connet. Joel took an early lead, and hardly slowed down to walk until the climb to the half way high point, whereupon he accelerated away again, leaving the other two couples jostling for second place. Joel - a well-built young gent, to say the least - sprinted home in just 1 minute 59 seconds for the 200m course, although Kevin Bailey was a close-run second in 2:13. Ian jogged in a breathless but happy third, to win the last-placer's Pot Noodle, in 2:30. At the winner's weigh-in, Joel and Wendy weighed in at an impressive 153kg: the prize money was £1/kg of combined weight. Joel and Wendy kindly suggested that the prize money should be donated to the Rainbow Children's Hospice. |
Organised by Conferio Ltd
1 East Street, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 1BB, UK
Tel (+44) 1372 840969 Fax (+44) 1372 743838
wife at trionium dot com
