The UK Wife Carrying Race

Dorking, UK Date: 10 April 2022 • Entry cost: £50 • trionium.com/wife

Indisputably the toughest quarter of a mile anywhere on the planet, this is the ideal race for the gym-goer who wants to put his aerobic fitness to the test. The ‘wife’, who can be a man or woman, must be carried by the competitor for the entire course. Strategies for carrying the wife vary, from the classic fireman’s lift, to the recommended ‘Estonian Hold’ (the wife dangles upside down, facing the competitor’s back, their legs crossed in front of the man’s face), to the ungainly bridal carry.

The first half of the course involves a short ascent with a 60% grade, and competitors need to conserve energy here to avoid going jelly-legged on the downhill finish. The race organisers warn of potential ‘slipped disk, broken legs, dislocations, neck and spinal damage, hernias…’ the list goes on. In true tough spirit they add, ‘but please don’t let this put you off.’

RACE STATS

Distance: 0.24mi Elevation: 50ft Course record: Jonathan Schwochert, carrying Charlotte Xiong, 1 min 40 secs The winner of the race receives a barrel of local ale, and the first-placed British finishers win £250 towards expenses to compete in the World Wife Carrying Championships.