Check out the track and its descriptions for the year 2022 here. Click on the image to enlarge it.
Competition track
At the Eukonkanto track, you can practice during the competition weekend on Saturday from 11:00 to 11:30 AM!
The original track, with its twists and turns, fences, rocks, and streams, has been modified to meet modern standards. The competition follows the rules established by the International Wife Carrying Competition Rules Committee (IWCCR), also known as the Eukonkanto International Rules Committee (EKSVK).
Watch the video: Multiple-time World Champion in Wife Carrying, Joni, introduces the Sonkajärvi track.
Rules
Prizes won at the Wife Carrying World Championships cannot be exchanged for cash, and prizes are not mailed.
General Information about Wife Carrying Rules.
The official track length is 253.5 meters and it is partially sandy and gravel surfaced.
There is one water obstacle approximately one meter deep and two dry obstacles on the track.
The objective is to complete the track while carrying another person (referred to later as ‘wife’) as quickly as possible.
The wife being carried can be one’s own or another person’s, but must be at least 17 years old. The carrier must be at least 18 years old.
The wife being carried must weigh at least 49 kg. If the wife’s weight is less than 49 kg, a wife-carrying backpack must be worn with weights added to meet the weight requirement.
There are no penalties for dropping the wife. If the carrier drops the wife, they must immediately pick her up on their back or in their arms.
Carriers are not allowed to use backpacks, straps, or similar aids. Competitors are not allowed to wear spiked heels, hiking boots, soccer shoes, or any footwear containing sharp parts. Shoes cannot be taped during the race. Footwear will be inspected before the race.
Competitors must follow the instructions given by the organizers. In the actual World Championship race, there is only one category, and the winner is the pair that completes the track the fastest.
If a competitor wishes to make a protest, a written protest must be submitted to the jury within 15 minutes of the arrival of the last pair at the finish line. The protest processing fee is 150 €.
The winning pair of the World Championship race is awarded annually changing prizes along with a quantity of ‘wife-carrying drink’ equivalent to the wife’s weight. Second and third-place pairs receive product prizes. The most entertaining couple, best costume, and strongest carrier of the weekend are also awarded.
Participation fee is 50 €. The participation fee includes weekend passes to the event.
Participation can be canceled up to 30 days before the competition. Cancellation must be done by email to toimisto@eukonkanto.fi. A cancellation fee of 10 € will be charged. We do not refund participation fees for cancellations made less than 30 days before the start of the event.
The Wife Carrying Sprint features multiple pairs competing simultaneously on a track approximately 120 meters long. There is one water obstacle on the track. The best performers in the heats proceed to the final competition in the evening. The wife being carried can be one’s own or another person’s, but must be at least 17 years old. The wife being carried must weigh at least 49 kg. If the wife’s weight is less than 49 kg, a wife-carrying backpack must be worn with weights added to meet the weight requirement.
Carriers are not allowed to use backpacks, straps, or similar aids. Competitors are not allowed to wear spiked heels, hiking boots, soccer shoes, or any footwear containing sharp parts. Shoes cannot be taped during the race. Footwear will be inspected before the race.
If a competitor wishes to make a protest, a written protest must be submitted to the jury within 15 minutes of the arrival of the last pair at the finish line. The protest processing fee is 150 €.
The top three pairs will be awarded prizes.
Participation fee is 25 €. The participation fee includes weekend passes to the event.
Participation can be canceled up to 30 days before the competition. Cancellation must be done by email to toimisto@eukonkanto.fi. A cancellation fee of 10 € will be charged. We do not refund participation fees for cancellations made less than 30 days before the start of the event.
In the Wife Carrying +40yrs category, the carrier must be 40 years old or older. Otherwise, the rules of the category are the same as in the World Championship. The most entertaining couple, best costume, and strongest carrier of the weekend will be awarded.
If a competitor wishes to make a protest, a written protest must be submitted to the jury within 15 minutes of the arrival of the last pair at the finish line. The protest processing fee is 150 €.
Participation fee is 50 €. The participation fee includes weekend passes to the event.
Participation can be canceled up to 30 days before the competition. Cancellation must be done by email to toimisto@eukonkanto.fi. A cancellation fee of 10 € will be charged. We do not refund participation fees for cancellations made less than 30 days before the start of the event.
In the Wife Carrying Team Competition, three carriers take turns carrying the wife and completing the track. When reaching the exchange point, the wife being carried is placed on the ground, and the exchange is made by drinking a bottle (0.5 L) of ‘Wife Carrying Drink.’ If the Wife Carrying Drink is spilled, the jury may impose a 15-second time penalty for the mistake. The next carrier can start carrying the wife once the bottle is empty. The track is the same as in the Wife Carrying World Championship.
Each team consists of 3 carriers and 1 wife being carried. The wife being carried can be one’s own or another person’s, but must be at least 17 years old. The wife being carried must weigh at least 49 kg. If the wife’s weight is less than 49 kg, a wife-carrying backpack must be worn with weights added to meet the weight requirement.
Carriers are not allowed to use backpacks, straps, or similar aids. Competitors are not allowed to wear spiked heels, hiking boots, soccer shoes, or any footwear containing sharp parts. Shoes cannot be taped during the race. Footwear will be inspected before the race.
If a competitor wishes to make a protest, a written protest must be submitted to the jury within 15 minutes of the arrival of the last pair at the finish line. The protest processing fee is 150 €.
Carriers must be at least 18 years old. The most entertaining team, best costume, and strongest carrier will be awarded.
Participation fee for the competition is 150 €.
The participation fee includes weekend passes for the team to the event.
Participation can be canceled up to 30 days before the competition. Cancellation must be done by email to toimisto@eukonkanto.fi. A cancellation fee of 10 € will be charged. We do not refund participation fees for cancellations made less than 30 days before the start of the event.