Official UK 'Wife' Carrying Championships

Something a little bit bonkers is coming to Kirkcudbright this summer…

Welcome to the Official UK “Wife” Carrying Championship. A unique, fun sporting event that combines endurance, teamwork and lots of laughs. Held in the beautiful harbour town of Kirkcudbright, in Dumfries and Galloway, this unforgettable race is set to become a new annual tradition for the UK.

Teams of two tackle a 250 metre obstacle course filled with twists, jumps and splashes as the competitors carry their partner through the course using one of three classic techniques:
Piggyback
Fireman’s carry (over the shoulder)
Estonian style – where the “wife” hangs upside-down on the carrier’s back with their legs over the shoulders.
This unique, fun sporting event combines endurance, humour and teamwork to make it to the finish line.
A Global Sporting Tradition
The Official UK Championship is part of a worldwide sporting tradition that began in Finland at the famous World Wife Carrying Championship.

Our champions don’t just win bragging rights, they also win:
Their partners weight in beer
A place at the 2026 World Wife Carrying Championship in Finland (plus a contribution towards their travel costs)
For context, the fastest time ever recorded in the Guinness World Records is 56.9 seconds, set by Margo Uusorg and Sandra Kullas in 2006.

Think you can beat it?
Some of the rules…
The “wife” does not have to be a spouse, it could be a work partner, a friend or family member, your gym or team buddy
Any gender pairing is welcome
Both participants must be over 18
The carried partner must weigh at least 49kg
Whether you’re competing seriously or simply taking part for fun, it’s all about teamwork.

Part of the Kirkcudbright Country Fair
The championship is a headline event at the annual Country Fair, making it a fantastic family day out.
Spectator entry is just £10, which gives you full access to the Fair’s shows, activities and entertainment throughout the day.

Visitors can enjoy:
Live entertainment
Food, drink from local suppliers
Free rides and amusements for children
The excitement of the Wife Carrying Championship heats and final
To make things easy, there’s also a free shuttle bus running every 15 minutes from Kirkcudbright town centre to the venue with plenty of parking in the town..
Get Registered
Ready to test your strength, speed and teamwork?
Entry is just £40 per team and includes your chance to compete for the UK title and a place at the World Championships in Finland plus a contribution towards your travel costs.
You can do it for yourself, a Charity or your Team Club. You decide.