North American Wife Carrying Championship®
- Date
- October 10, 2026
- Location
- 15 South Ridge Road, Newry, ME
- Distance
- North American Wife Carrying Championship®
From the Organizer
The 26th Annual North American Wife Carrying Championship® returns to Sunday River on Saturday, October 10, 2026, 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.
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
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
36°
Chance of Rain
46%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Middle Dam, 8 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Newry, ME
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.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
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.
124
Days to train
- Race
- North American Wife Carrying Championship®
- Date
- October 10, 2026
- Location
- 15 South Ridge Road, Newry, ME
Coming Up
More Running races near Newry, ME
Stars & Stripes 5K Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run
Youth
25 miles away
SSG Tanner Grone Memorial 5k
5K
21 miles away
Maine Summer Adventure Race: 8-Hour
31 miles away
Maine Summer Adventure Race: 24-Hour
31 miles away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
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.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the North American Wife Carrying Championship®?
- North American Wife Carrying Championship® is a running race held in Newry, Maine on October 10, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the North American Wife Carrying Championship®?
- Saturday, October 10, 2026 in Newry, Maine at 15 South Ridge Road, Newry, ME. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the North American Wife Carrying Championship®?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
North American Wife Carrying Championship®
Oct 10, 2026