| Where: | Dorking, Surrey at The Priory School, The Nower |
| When: | Weekend early in March (usually a Sunday) |
| Time: | 10.30 |
The Wife Carrying Races at Dorking are a relatively recent addition to the calendar and have apparently spread to the UK from a long-established Scandinavian tradition -legend has it that events like this started after raiders needed to be swift on their pins to escape when stealing womenfolk from neighbouring villages. Couples race over a steep 380 metre course and the prize is beer from the local Pilgrim Brewery (runners-up get pot noodle and pet food!). The rules aren’t strict and the “wives” don’t need to be female! When we visited in 2020, the race took place in a hail storm amidst a mighty crack of thunder – one theory for this being the wrath of God in divine retribution as more than half of the couples weren’t actually married…
Helpful Hints
If you wish to take part you won’t need to produce your marriage certificate to qualify, but you do need to be over 18 and the wives must wear a helmet.
In 2025 it should be on Sunday 16th March.
Plenty of free off-street parking is available at The Priory School (signposted) which is a short walk from the course – the registration before and the prizegiving after the race take place on the school hall.
Click here for the new website: https://www.leithhilltrailrunners.org/e/uk-wife-carrying-race-11815
Click here for the event website : http://trionium.com/wife/
Do we need to register in advance for the wife carrying race in 2024?
Hi Ariel,
Just had a look on the event’s own site and while it takes some finding, yes, you have to register online in advance. Follow this link to the FAQ page and you’ll find the instructions: http://trionium.com/wife/
Best of luck!
Averil