Wife-carrying races in Hereford

Wife-carrying is a traditional sport of Finland

Hereford Racecourse is holding a wife-carrying race on Sunday 8 November, as part of its annual Beer & Cider day.

The race is reminiscent of a past when men courted women by picking them up and running off with them.

Couples don't need to be married, nor even in a relationship, but they must be over 18 years old.

The first-prize for the winning couple is their combined weight in beer, and entrants can register by emailing the racecourse or ringing 01432 273560.

There are a number of different 'styles' in which to carry a wife:

• Piggyback
• Fireman's lift
• Estonian

The fireman's lift is a wife slung over the husband's shoulder and the Estonian is where the wife hangs upside-down, with her legs around her husband's shoulders, whilst holding on to his waist.

The Estonians are renowned wife carriers and they have dominated the world championship - held in Finland - for many years.

The sport of wife-carrying is now practised around the world

Strange customs

Hereford Racecourse's General Manager Richard Holland said:

"There are all manner of strange customs in the West of England - from cheese rolling and church clipping, through to bread throwing and wassailing the apple tree.

"So we're just adding wife-carrying to the mix for our major jump racing fixture of the autumn."

The feature race for the horses is the two miles and three furlongs Herefordshire 'Mind' Handicap Chase.

Herefordshire Mind, based at Owen Street, provides a range of services for people with mental health problems in the county.

Grandstand admission is £17, and accompanied children - aged under 16 - enter free-of-charge.

There is also a Beer & Balti admission package for £22, which includes three pints of beer, cider or lager, plus a curry meal, a racecard and a £2 Tote betting discount voucher.

This must be purchased in advance, and will not be available on the day.

The first race is at 1pm, with the finale at 4.10pm.