Dorking is a charming town situated in the heart of the United Kingdom. You might expect a quiet, picturesque village brimming with tradition, but there's a surprise waiting for you. It's the location of the UK Wife Carrying Race, a celebration of love, laughter, and sheer absurdity. Welcome to a world where couples team up to navigate obstacle courses and compete in a race that's guaranteed to tickle your funny bone!
Let's get one thing straight; this isn't your everyday race. In the Wife Carrying Race, (mostly) men carry their partners, typically their wives, through a challenging course including a 15-metre ascent and descent filled with hurdles, mud, and plenty of surprises. It's an exhilarating blend of athleticism, humour, and, well, love and trust. The goal? To reach the finish line without dropping your partner – a true test of strength and teamwork.
Wife-carrying originated in the UK over twelve centuries ago, on 8 June 793AD, when Viking raiders rampaged into Lindisfarne on the northeast coast of what is now England, destroying the monastery and carrying off any unwilling local women. Such wife-carrying/steeling continued intermittently for around 300 years. Wife Carrying was re-introduced into the UK by the UK Wife Carrying Race in 2008, after an absence from these shores of nearly 900 years but hopefully with more willing women.
What are the rules of the race?
Males or females carry a 'wife' (who must be alive, human, at least 18 years old, can be male or female, and does not need to be the carrier's wife).
All those carried must wear a helmet.
There is a weigh-in prior to the start: All 'wives' must weigh at least 50kg. Anyone underweight will be obliged to wear a rucksack filled with flour, water or similar tins to bring them to the required weight.
All entrants will start at the same time, and the winner is the first over the line.
Obstacles and water hazards will be included.
Spectators are encouraged to attend with their own water pistols and buckets of water to staff the 'Splash Zone' (return leg only - something for the competitors to look forward to!).
Of course, what's a race without some enticing prizes?
The winner of the UK Wife Carrying Race will win a barrel of local Ale (worth £150).
The first-placed British finishers will win £250 towards their expenses in representing Britain and competing in the World Wife Carrying Championships in Finland in July.
Last placed finishers receive the ceremonial Pot Noodle and dog food.
The carrier who completes the course with the heaviest wife will win a pound of sausages (for strength) and a ceremonial pat on the back from the other carriers.
The oldest carrier will receive a tin of pilchards and a jar of Bovril.
But how should the wife be carried?
There are many recognised holds including the bridal carry think crossing the threshold, the piggy-back, shoulder-ride where the wife is resting on both shoulders behind the carriers head, the fireman's carry over one shoulder, 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 the wife hangs upside-down on man's front, legs crossed behind the man's head)
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 just a physical challenge. It's a testament to the bond shared between couples who are willing to take on a unique adventure together. The race emphasises laughter, resilience, and the importance of not taking life too seriously. It's a reminder that sometimes, the best way to strengthen a relationship is by embracing humour and tackling bizarre challenges hand in hand.
If you ever find yourself in Dorking or near a Wife Carrying Race, don't miss the opportunity to witness this hilarious spectacle or perhaps even participate. It's a unique event that encourages silliness, tests your limits, and celebrates the simple joy of shared laughter with your loved one. The UK Wife Carrying Race in Dorking is where love and absurdity collide, and it's an unforgettable journey you won't want to miss!
Check your understanding
What is the main objective of the UK Wife Carrying Race in Dorking?
How did the tradition of wife-carrying originate, and when was it reintroduced in the UK?
What are the specific rules and requirements for participants in the wife-carrying race, including the weight of the 'wife' and safety measures?
What are some of the recognised methods for carrying a 'wife' in the race, and can you describe a unique one mentioned in the text?
Besides the physical challenge, what does the Wife Carrying Race in Dorking emphasise, and what are some of the prizes awarded to participants?
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Vocabulary
Obstacle Courses: Courses featuring a series of challenges or barriers that participants must navigate. These challenges can include physical obstacles or mental puzzles.
Viking Raiders: Vikings were seafaring people from the late eighth to early 11th century. Viking raiders mentioned here are individuals from this historical period who engaged in plundering and looting.
Weigh-in: A process where participants are measured to determine their weight, ensuring they meet certain weight requirements or restrictions.
Bovril: Bovril is a brand of meat extract, often used to make a hot beverage or as a seasoning in the UK and other countries.
Estonian Hold: A specific method of carrying one's partner in the wife-carrying race, where the wife hangs upside-down on the man's back, with her legs crossed in front of the man's face.
Dorking Hold: A unique method of carrying a partner in the wife-carrying race, which is described as the "reverse Estonian," where the wife hangs upside-down on the man's front, with her legs crossed behind the man's head.
Resilience: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties or adapt to challenging situations.
Spectators: People who come to watch an event.
Ceremonial: Relating to a ceremony or formal event, often symbolic or traditional in nature.
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