
North American Wife Carrying Championship® is an obstacle course race on October 9, 2027 in Newry, ME, with an entry fee of $40.
The 27th Annual North American Wife Carrying Championship® returns to Sunday River on Saturday, October 9, 2027, as part of our Fall Fest weekend. It’s weird, wild, and wildly entertaining—this one-of-a-kind event draws competitors and spectators from across the globe to see who has what it takes to carry their partner to victory.
Teams race on foot through a 278-yard obstacle course that includes log hurdles, a sand trap, and the fan-favorite “Widow Maker” water hazard. The fastest two teams from the qualifying rounds will advance to a final heat to compete for the championship title—and some pretty quirky prizes, including the wife’s weight in beer and five times her weight in cash.
Not Married? No Problem.
Couples don’t have to be legally married, but teams must consist of one man and one woman, and both must be at least 21 years old on race day, to qualify for the world championship.
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
57°
Typical Low
37°
Chance of Rain
46%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Middle Dam, 8 mi from the venue.
City Elevation
1,845 ft
Nearest Airport
AUG
Augusta State Airport · 65 mi
Major Hub
PWM
Portland International Jetport · 80 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at North American Wife Carrying Championship®, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
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Days to train
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Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
Obstacle course races combine running with walls, rope climbs, carries, and mud — testing strength, grip, endurance, and mental toughness all at once.
No two races feel the same, and it is a truly unique endurance sport.
Obstacle course races (OCR) combine running over different terrain with a series of physical obstacles — walls, rope climbs, monkey bars, carries, and crawls. The barrier to entry is lower than it looks.
North American Wife Carrying Championship®
Oct 9, 2027