In Pictures: UK Wife Carrying Race

PA

Athletic couples have gathered in Dorking to take part in the 11th annual UK Wife Carrying Race.

(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Andrew Matthews/PA)

The event is run over a course of 380 metres - with 15 metres of ascent and descent - as well as numerous barriers.

(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Andrew Matthews/PA)

Organisers claim that Wife carrying originated in the UK more than 12 centuries ago in 793AD, when Viking raiders rampaged into Lindisfarne on the north east coast of what is now England, destroying the monastery and most likely carrying off any unwilling local women.

(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Andrew Matthews/PA)

Wife carrying was re-introduced into the UK by the UK Wife Carrying Race in 2008, after an absence from these shores of nearly 900 years.

(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Andrew Matthews/PA)

This year's event was won by Chris Hepworth and Tanisha Prince.

(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Andrew Matthews/PA)

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