View the official track of Wife Carrying World Championship in Sonkajärvi, Finland. The length of the official track is 253.5 meters and surface of the track is sand. The track has two dry obstacles and one water obstacle, about a meter deep.

The wife to be carried may be your own, the neighbor's or you may have found her farther ahead; she must, however, be over 17 years of age. The minimum weight of the wife to be carried is 49 kilos. If she weighs less, she will be burdened with such a heavy rucksack to reach the desired minimum weight.

The only equipment allowed is a belt worn by the carrier. Competitors are not allowed to wear high heels or any other shoes that may cause injuries. Also using tape is forbidden. Competitors' footwear will be checked before the race.

If a contestant drops the wife, he has to lift her on to his back or in his arms and continue carrying. All the participants must have fun. The winner is the couple who completes the course in the shortest time.

The contestants run the race two at a time, so each heat is a contest in itself. Each contestant takes care of his/her safety and, if deemed necessary, insurance. The contestants have to pay attention to the instructions given by the organizers of the competition.

The World Champions, second and third couple will get various products of Finnish design. Also the most entertaining couple , the best costume and the strongest carrier are rewarded with a special prize. The participation fee 50 € per a couple.

Video and editing: Tapio Lehtinen
Music: Chariots Of Fire - The London Symphony Orchestra

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