The 10th annual UK Wife Carrying Race was held this past weekend in Dorking, Surrey where 40 husbands had to carry their wives through a 1250 ft. route.
The race was full of obstacles like hay bale hurdles, a 15-meter climb and a “soak zone,” a section where spectators ruthlessly chuck buckets of water over the weary competitors.
This year the race was won by first-time competitors Jack McKendrick and Kristy Jones. They now qualify to compete in the global competition, which is a brief and flat 253 meters in length.
The race was revived in 2008 to the area after organizer Robert McCaffrey launched the event after watching the World Championships on TV. The race was inspired by Viking raiders who tore through the northeast England region, carrying away unwilling local women.