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Will you carry me? Couples dash to be crowned winners of UK Wife Carrying Race

Dozens took part in the race up and down the Nower in Dorking, Surrey.

By contributor Ellie Crabbe, Press Association
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Supporting image for story: Will you carry me? Couples dash to be crowned winners of UK Wife Carrying Race
The UK wife carrying race began in 2008 (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Dozens of people braved murky March weather to take part in one of the country’s most unusual races.

The annual UK Wife Carrying Race saw husbands taking on the 380-metre course up and back down the Nower in Dorking, Surrey, all while their wives clung on for dear life.

Though the Scandinavian sport traditionally features husbands carrying their wives, the UK version, organised by Leith Hill Trail Runners, allows people to carry anyone, but recommend that they weigh less than the runner.

“You do not have to carry your own wife,” the race website says.

“It could be someone else’s. Or a mate, girlfriend, boyfriend, sister or brother.”

A man in the foreground wearing a Superman costume carrying his wife on his back while a man in the background carries his wife upside down in front of him
Competitors adopted a number of different holding methods (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Participants can carry their “wife” however they like, but many chose the so-called Estonian hold, where the “wife” hangs upside-down on the runner’s back and their legs are crossed in front of the runner’s face.

Those carried must weigh at least 50kg, and anyone underweight has to wear a rucksack filled with tins of flour, water or similar to reach the minimum.

A bucket of water is thrown over two competitors dressed as frogs
Runners were splashed with water pistols and buckets of water by spectators (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Runners had to dodge obstacles including rows of hay bales, and were also splashed with water pistols and buckets by spectators.

Finnish duo Teemu and Jatta were crowned the 2026 winners on Sunday and won a barrel of local ale.

UK Wife Carrying Race
Teemu and Jatta, from Finland, won a barrel of local ale (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Ian Giles, director of the UK race, said: “In today’s hard-fought race, Teemu and Jatta from Finland won in a new course record of 1.45.5, ahead of Edward and Kathryn in 1.49.0 and the winners for the last two years, Stuart and Hattie in 1.50.1

“As a result, Teemu and Jatta take first prize but it’s Edward and Kathryn who will be going to the World Championships in Finland this July to represent the UK.

“And we will be paying £250 towards their accommodation and flights to help them do that.”

Originating in Finland, wife carrying contests have happened around the world, including in the United States, India and Germany. The UK race began in 2008.