Wife-Carrying World Championships competes for weirdest summer game
Part of the three-day Sonkajarvi Festival in Helsinki, Finland, this whimsical annual event resembles a 250-yard steeplechase, in which the “wife” rides upside down on the runner’s back with her legs slung over his shoulders for maximum speed. Women must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 108 pounds. Not hitched? Don’t worry you don’t need to be actually married to compete.
-
- Aleksander Pihlainen and Siiri Salli from Finland compete during the Wife Carrying World Championships in Sonkajarvi, Finland on July 6, 2013. (Roni Rekomaa/ AFP Photo)
-
- Alar Voogla and Kristi Viltrop from Estonia compete to finish second in the Wife Carrying World Championships in Sonkajarvi, Finland on July 6, 2013. (Roni Rekomaa/ AFP Photo)
-
- Matt Witko (L) and Hattie Archer (R) from England compete to take bronze during the Wife Carrying World Championships in Sonkajarvi, Finland on July 6, 2013. (Roni Rekomaa/ AFP Photo)
-
- Toni Kaerkkaeinen and Heidi Kaerkkaeinen from Finland compete during the Wife Carrying World Championships in Sonkajarvi, Finland on July 6, 2013. (Roni Rekomaa/ AFP Photo)
-
- Joni Juntunen and Jaana Haavikko from Finland compete to take fifth place during the Wife Carrying World Championship competition in Sonkajarvi July 6, 2013. (Roni Rekomaa/ AFP Photo)
-
- Alar Voogla and Kristi Viltrop from Estonia compete to finish second in the Wife Carrying World Championship competition in Sonkajarvi July 6, 2013. (Roni Rekomaa/ AFP Photo)
-
- Joni Juntunen and Jaana Haavikko from Finland compete to take fifth place during the Wife Carrying World Championships in Sonkajarvi, Finland on July 6, 2013. (Roni Rekomaa/ AFP Photo)
-
- Taisto Miettinen and Kristiina Haapanen from Finland compete during the Wife Carrying World Championships in Sonkajarvi, Finland on July 6, 2013. (Roni Rekomaa/ AFP Photo)
-
- Taisto Miettinen and Kristiina Haapanen from Finland win the Wife Carrying World Championships in Sonkajarvi, Finland on July 6, 2013. (Roni Rekomaa/ AFP Photo)
-
- Beau Mynard and Ellie Gresham from Australia compete during the Wife Carrying World Championships in Sonkajarvi, Finland on July 6, 2013. (Roni Rekomaa/ AFP Photo)
-
- Kristiina Haapanen and Taisto Miettinen (R) of Finland celebrate after winning the Wife Carrying World Championship competition in Sonkajarvi July 6, 2013. REUTERS/Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva
Baltimore neighborhoods
Baltimore street photographers
Year in review
Freddie Gray: protests, aftermath
24 hours with...
A. Aubrey Bodine
Viewing Baltimore from above