Teemu Touvinen and Jatta Leinonen emerged victorious at the 2026 U.K. Wife Carrying Race in Dorking, England. Touvinen sprinted through the course, carrying Leinonen on his shoulder, dodging obstacles and water splashes, to secure first place. The Finnish couple clinched the win with a final burst of speed in the last 50 meters, leaving their competitors behind. As customary, they were rewarded with a barrel of local ale.
During the race, Touvinen was anxious about losing the lead, while Leinonen focused on maintaining her grip to avoid slipping. Reflecting on their victory, Touvinen expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It’s feeling really, really good.”
The Wife Carrying Race involves participants traversing a 380-meter course with obstacles and undulating terrain while carrying another person. Originating from Scandinavian traditions, the event has expanded to countries such as the U.K., United States, Australia, Poland, and even Canada. Although rooted in a dark 19th-century Finnish tale, the competition has evolved into a lighthearted and enjoyable affair.
Not limited to married couples, the race welcomes anyone carrying a person over 18 years old and weighing at least 110 pounds. Participants below this weight must carry a rucksack filled with flour or water to meet the minimum weight requirement. Organizers emphasize that the carried individual does not have to be one’s spouse but can be a friend, sibling, or partner, provided they weigh less than the carrier.
Touvinen and Leinonen discovered wife carrying in 2024 during the world championships near their hometown in Finland. Initially joining for fun, they realized their talent in the sport and decided to take it seriously. Despite a mishap in their second race, where they fell just before the finish line, the couple has been diligently training. Their preferred technique, the “Estonian Hold,” involves the carried person hanging upside-down on the carrier’s back with legs crossed in front for stability.
Having triumphed in the U.K. race, Touvinen and Leinonen are gearing up for the World Wife Carrying Championships in Finland in July, aiming for another victory and the coveted barrel of ale prize.
