schedule

Saturday, July 13

Time: 10:00

Wife Carrying originated in Finland, and its history is based around the 19th century legend of Hertko Rosvo-Ronkainen, or “Ronkainen the Robber.” There are three stories as to how the sport was created. First, Ronkainen and his thieves were accused of stealing food and women from villages in the area he lived in; then carried these women on their backs as they ran away. Second, it has been said the men would go to villages near their own to steal other men’s wives, and then have the woman become their own wife. Third is the story that Ronkainen trained his thieves by carrying big, heavy sacks on their backs, which could have eventually evolved to a sport.

The first modern day wife carrying event was held in Finland in 1992 and foreign contestants were admitted in 1995. This event is now held annually in Sonkajärvi, Finland as the World Championship. A North American Championship was started in 1999.

Summer Daze will take this format and put it’s own twist

Competitors

All entries must be 21 years of age.

Teammates are not required to be legally married, but in a domestic relationship.

The Sand Creek Summer Daze Festival race requires helmets to be worn by the carried competitor.

The only special equipment allowed to be worn by the carrier is a belt, which is optional.

Wife/spouse/significant other must weigh a minimum of 118 pounds. A weighted belt can be worn to make up the difference, but must be approved by the race coordinator.

Costumes are welcomed but not required.

The Course

Length of course will be announced spring of 2024.

Course design includes various dry obstacles and one water obstacle.

Prizes

The Grand Prize will be the winners wife’s weight in any domestic beer!

Second Prize will be two thirty packs of any domestic beer!

Best costumed couple will receive a $25 prize!

Competition

Competitors run the course two at a time with each team being timed. The two fastest teams qualify for a final heat, which may be timed or untimed, with the winner of the final heat being the winner of the event.

If a competitor drops his teammate, their team will be penalized with five seconds added to their time.

Teams may not advance on the course without the wife being carried, and will be disqualified if they do not carry their wife the entire length of the course.

There is no restriction on how the female teammate is carried. Several types of carry are commonly used including the Piggyback and Fireman’s Carry (over the shoulder). However, the most popular is the Estonian Carry in which the wife hangs upside-down with her legs around the husband’s shoulders, holding onto his waist.

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