This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-43689192
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| UK wife-carrying contest takes place in Dorking | UK wife-carrying contest takes place in Dorking |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Couples from across the world braved swamps and bogs on a treacherous course in the 11th UK Wife Carrying Race. | |
| Chris Hepworth, carrying Tanisha Prince, raced to victory in the contest over a 1250ft (380m) obstacle course in Surrey. | Chris Hepworth, carrying Tanisha Prince, raced to victory in the contest over a 1250ft (380m) obstacle course in Surrey. |
| Organisers suggested the activity of wife-carrying began in June 793 AD. | Organisers suggested the activity of wife-carrying began in June 793 AD. |
| They said Vikings carried "wenches" in a practice that lasted for 300 years and was reborn after 900 years - and some people took it "very seriously". | They said Vikings carried "wenches" in a practice that lasted for 300 years and was reborn after 900 years - and some people took it "very seriously". |
| Competitors faced a 49ft (15m) ascent and descent on the course, described as "very tough" by organisers. | Competitors faced a 49ft (15m) ascent and descent on the course, described as "very tough" by organisers. |
| Information for competitors said: "You do not have to be married (to each other, anyway) but it certainly helps if you are at least friends." | Information for competitors said: "You do not have to be married (to each other, anyway) but it certainly helps if you are at least friends." |
| Under the rules, all "wives" - who can be male or female over the age of 18 - had to weigh at least 50kg and there were penalties for dropping the "wife". | Under the rules, all "wives" - who can be male or female over the age of 18 - had to weigh at least 50kg and there were penalties for dropping the "wife". |
| Any underweight candidates had a rucksack of tinned baked beans to add to the load. | Any underweight candidates had a rucksack of tinned baked beans to add to the load. |
| Winner Mr Hepworth said he was "surprised and chuffed" and his "wife" Ms Prince said for her the uphill climb was easier than going downhill. | |
| They will go in to compete in the world contest in Finland in July. | |
| "Maybe we can be the ones to win it," Mr Hepworth said. | |
| Organisers warned of the serious injuries participants risked, saying: "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 fracture, hernias, and other sundry injuries and illnesses, and potentially including death. | Organisers warned of the serious injuries participants risked, saying: "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 fracture, hernias, and other sundry injuries and illnesses, and potentially including death. |
| "But please don't let this put you off!" | "But please don't let this put you off!" |
| Ben and Hannah Brackenbury entered the contest to mark their first wedding anniversary. | |
| Spa or swamp? | |
| Mrs Brackenbury said: "It's got to be done." | |
| Her husband said: "I was away for the weekend. I got a message saying am I free on that day. | |
| "I thought she'd booked us in for a spa or something. Next thing I get home and she says I've entered us into the UK wife-carrying competition." | |
| The couple said they practised in the garden and in the rain, and tried some jumps in preparation for getting over hay bales. | |
| The winner received a barrel of local ale while last place was awarded the "ceremonial" Pot Noodle and dog food. | The winner received a barrel of local ale while last place was awarded the "ceremonial" Pot Noodle and dog food. |
| Recognised holds included the bridal carry, the piggy back, the shoulder-ride, the fireman's carry and what was dubbed the Estonian hold - where the wife hangs upside down on the husband's back with legs crossed in front of the face. | Recognised holds included the bridal carry, the piggy back, the shoulder-ride, the fireman's carry and what was dubbed the Estonian hold - where the wife hangs upside down on the husband's back with legs crossed in front of the face. |
| The Dorking hold was described as the reverse of the Estonian hold. | The Dorking hold was described as the reverse of the Estonian hold. |