Competitions have been around since the dawn of time. Humans are competitive in their nature. Let’s be honest – we all have a competitive side when it comes to betting or board games. No one likes to lose, so we get competitive quite easily. We can only assume that’s where some of these absolutely random competitions have originated – people wanting to win at every silly thing. It all started with someone saying, “Hey, I can grow a better mustache and beard,” or, “Hey, I can eat more hot dogs!,” or the classic, “Hey, I can run faster than you!” Sounds familiar? However, some of these competitions from around the world are so bizarre, you might have a hard time believing they are real. But they are.
North American Wife Carrying Championship
This race seems sweet and wholesome, although it may not be as cute as it sounds. It is also not exclusive to the U.S. that men have this innate desire to plop their life partners over their shoulders and run around. Hence, the questionable origin story for such championships. However, the most accepted form of the wife-carrying race is held in Finland, which is what all stateside competitions follow.
It boils down to an obstacle race, with the added challenge of balancing your wife on your shoulders. The contest rules are even funnier when you read them; they state that everyone must be having a good time! It’s no joke: it is an actual rule. It is also interesting that the rules mention that the minimum weight of the ladies must not be below 49 kilograms (108 lbs). The prize is the wife’s weight in beer, and that is hands-down the funniest, most American way of measuring things.