Dorking is a lovely town in the middle of the United Kingdom. You might think it's a quiet, pretty place with old traditions, but there's a surprise there. They have a race called the UK Wife Carrying Race. It's all about love, fun, and being a little silly. Couples work together to go through an obstacle course and race to be the winner.
This race isn't like regular races. In the Wife Carrying Race, men carry their partners, usually their wives, through a tough course. They go up and down a 15-meter hill, face obstacles, mud, and surprises. It's a mix of being strong and showing love and trusting each other. The goal is to get to the finish line without dropping your partner. It's a test of strength and teamwork.
Wife-carrying started in the UK more than twelve centuries ago. Vikings came to England in 793 AD and took local women against their will. This practice continued on and off for around 300 years. The UK Wife Carrying Race brought it back to honour this history in 2008 after almost 900 years.
As with any competition, there are some rules that need to be followed.
Men or women can carry a 'wife.'
The wife has to be alive, human, at least 18 years old and can be a male or female.
Everyone carried must wear a helmet.
Before the race, there's a weigh-in. 'Wives' must weigh at least 50kg. If they're too light, they have to wear a backpack filled with things like flour or water to be heavy enough.
Everyone starts the race at the same time, and the first one to cross the finish line wins. There are obstacles and water challenges in the race.
Spectators are encouraged to bring water guns and buckets of water for a 'Splash Zone' area.
And of course there are prizes!
The winner gets a barrel of local Ale worth £150. The best British finishers get £250 to help with their expenses to compete in the World Wife Carrying Championships in Finland. The last-place finishers get a fun prize, such as a Pot Noodle and dog food. The person carrying the heaviest wife gets a pound of sausages for strength and a pat on the back. The oldest carrier gets a tin of pilchards and a jar of Bovril.
But how do you carry your wife?
There are a few different ways the wife can be carried such as the bridal carry (like carrying her over the threshold), piggyback, shoulder-ride, fireman's carry, Estonian Hold (upside-down on the runners back), and the unique Dorking Hold (a reverse Estonian upside-down on the runners front).
By Steve Jurvetson - https://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/641867/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=662050
The Wife Carrying Race in Dorking is more than a physical challenge. It's about the connection between couples who want to have an adventure together. The race is all about having fun, being strong when things get tough, and not taking life too seriously. It reminds us that humour and doing strange things together can make a relationship stronger.
If you ever find yourself in Dorking or near a Wife Carrying Race, don't miss it! You can watch the funny race or even join in. It's a special event that encourages silliness, tests your abilities, and celebrates the joy of laughing with your loved one. The UK Wife Carrying Race in Dorking is where love and silliness come together, and it's a journey you'll remember!
Check your understanding
What is the main event in Dorking that the text talks about, and what is its primary focus?
How does the Wife Carrying Race differ from traditional races, and what is the objective of this race?
What historical background is provided in the text regarding the origins of wife-carrying in the UK?
What are some of the rules participants must follow in the Wife Carrying Race, including requirements for the 'wives' and safety measures?
What are the various methods for carrying a 'wife' mentioned in the text, and what is unique about the Dorking Hold?
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Vocabulary
Obstacle Course: A challenging course or path with various physical challenges and barriers that participants need to overcome.
Vikings: Ancient seafaring people from Scandinavia known for their raids and exploration during the Viking Age (roughly 8th to 11th centuries).
Weigh-In: A process of measuring and recording the weight of individuals or objects, often used to ensure they meet certain weight requirements or restrictions.
Helmet: A protective headgear that is worn to prevent head injuries.
Splash Zone: An area where spectators are encouraged to throw water using water guns and buckets, typically to create a fun and wet environment.
Ale: A type of beer that is typically strong, with a bitter taste.
Bridal Carry: A method of carrying someone, often used when a person carries their partner in a manner similar to carrying a bride over the threshold.
Piggyback: A way of carrying someone on your back, similar to how you might carry a child.
Fireman's Carry: A carrying technique where one person carries another over their shoulder.
Estonian Hold: A specific method of carrying a partner in the Wife Carrying Race, with the partner hanging upside-down on the carrier's back.
Dorking Hold: A unique carrying technique in the race, described as the "reverse Estonian,"
Physical Challenge: An activity or competition that tests one's physical abilities and stamina.
Silliness: Acting in a playful and humorous way, often not taking things too seriously.
Relationship Strength: The ability of a couple to endure challenges and grow closer through shared experiences and humour.
Humour: The quality of being amusing or funny, often involving laughter and a sense of fun.
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