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Wife Carrying Championships

Just when I thought the British couldn’t get any more amusing I discover yet another gem of originality wrapped up in health & safety paranoia.

I learnt there was such a thing as a ‘Wife Carrying Championship’ held in Dorking, England during March of this year. Right off the bat I have 2 points to make:
1. What is becoming of the dignified world of competitive sport?
2. Can we truly be surprised by anything people from a town called “Dorking” do?

Now it seems the British have tossed aside their ‘conservative’ image and thrown all caution to the wind (I use the word ‘caution’ here in the sense of ‘all things logical’).

And I quote from their website...
“Males or females carry a 'wife' (who must be at least 18 and can be male or female, and does not need to be the carrier's wife). All those carried must wear a helmet. All entrants win delicious Pilgrim Brewery ale - the winners win the wife's weight in beer! All entrants will start off at the same time, and the first over the line is the winner. However, there will be time penalties for dropping the 'wife.' Obstacles and water hazards may be included."

Just for entering you get free ale! Now that’s just what we all need – free inebriation at a potentially hazardous sporting event. Picture it: a group of be-sozzled men/women carrying their “wives” through obstacles and water! All things considered, they should win bonus points for NOT dropping their wife while holding a beer in one hand and swimming breast stroke with the other!

"Wife carrying can be a dangerous activity, which can lead to any one or more of the following injuries: slipped disk, broken legs and arms, spinal damage, facial injury, skull fractures, hernias, and other sundry injuries and illnesses, and potentially including death. But please don't let this put you off!”
So, what you’re saying is entering this race brings with it the probability of many horrific, disfiguring injuries but we shouldn’t be deterred in the least?
Got it. Sign me up!
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