National Wife Carrying Championship Returning To Maine [VIDEO]

The 18th Annual North American "Wife Carrying Championship" is happening Saturday, October 7 at Sunday River. If you haven't signed up by now, it is unfortunately too late this season. However, you can certainly go and watch!

Legend has it this tradition is based on 19th century Finnish legend "Ronkainen the Robber" who had high qualifications for the men he accepted into his band. To prove their worth, men had to compete through a difficult course with a heavy sack (or woman grabbed from neighboring villages) on their back.

Last season, 2 of the top 3 finishers were from Maine: 3rd place went to Mike Kress and Anna-Lena Schneider from Portland, and claiming the top spot was Elliot and Giana Storey from Westbrook who took home Giana's weight in Goose Island Oktoberfest beer and 5 times her weight in cash. They also cemented a trip to Finland for the "World Wife Carrying Championship."