4 hours ago
2
Getty Images
Dozens of people are expected to take part in the 2026 UK Wife Carrying Race
On Sunday, one of the UK's wackiest races returns, bringing some Scandinavian fun to the Surrey sporting scene.
"It's certainly chaotic," says Ian Giles, race director of the UK race. "There are a few familiar faces each year."
While the couple who won the last two years' races are back to defend their crown, competition is on the horizon with a "stacked" couple from the sport's Finnish home.
Giles added: "This year we have 35 couples racing and at least another 15 on a waiting list."
Allegedly dating back centuries, wife carrying races involve people putting their partner on their back, front or over their shoulder, and completing a course of hills, hay bales and a "splash zone" of buckets of water and water pistols.
In the UK the practice reportedly links back to the Viking pillage of Lindisfarne.
In sporting terms, its roots are in Finland, where the first world championships took place in 1996.
The UK Wife Carrying Race features an "out-and-back" 380m (1,246 ft) course. As with any good sport, there are strict rules to ensure a level playing field.
Getty Images
The course involves a "splash zone" with water buckets and pistols
Carrying friends, partners or siblings are all allowed, but they must be over 18 years-old.
People being carried are weighed prior to the event and must be at least 50kg (110 lbs) - anyone under that must wear a rucksack "filled with tins of flour, water or similar to bring them to the required weight".
Helmets are obligatory for those being carried - fancy dress is expected.
The organisers said: "Spectators are encouraged to attend with their own water-pistols and buckets of water to staff the Splash Zone."
"You can use any one of the many recognised holds - bridal carry, piggy-back, shoulder-ride, fireman's carry (across the shoulders), the well-recognised and very fast Estonian Hold (wife hangs upside-down on man's back, legs crossed in front of the man's face) or the not-so-fast but unique Dorking Hold (the reverse Estonian)."
'I don't want to drop my girlfriend on her head'
"I'm aware of the dangers - I don't want to drop my girlfriend on her head," says defending UK champion Stuart Johnson.
Johnson has good form despite his concerns - he and partner Hattie Cronin, from Woking, are two-time UK champions, returning to see if lightning strikes thrice.
Johnson and Cronin first entered in 2024 after friends competed the year before and recommended it to them.
They come into this year's race as undefeated UK champions.
Johnson said: "The first time we practised it a few times and ran around our local park and with people thinking we were bonkers."
Getty Images
UK Wife Carrying Champion Stuart Johnson, with partner Hattie Cronin on his back.
Cronin said: "I didn't say yes initially - Stuart signed up before asking me.
"Imagine being put in a washing machine, it feels a lot like that."
The couple's favoured method is the Estonian hold.
As part of the prize, winners of the UK race receive £250 towards travel costs for the World Championships.
The sport is a different level in Scandinavia, though, Johnson said. "You get these gladiator humans and it looks like they weren't even carrying anything," he said.
Despite returning to defend the crown, Giles says there is competition from a Finnish couple coming to upset the odds.
The Scandinavian couple came 27th in the 2025 World Championships, completing the course in one minute and 32 seconds.
"I think this year there will be quite a lot of pressure - they look absolutely stacked," he said.
The UK Wife Carrying Race takes place on Sunday at 10:15 GMT at The Nower in Dorking, ahead of the Leith Hill half marathon.
Spectators are being encouraged to arrive on foot or by public transport, and bring their buckets and water pistols too, of course.
