William Shakespeare’s adage that the course of true love never did run smooth was proved during the UK Wife Carrying Race.
The event saw competitors from Dorking team up to carry their better halves through a series of obstacles, including buckets of cold and passion-dousing water.
But, their determination and perseverance helped them to make it to the end.
In their quest for glory, competitors doubled down (Steve Parsons/PA).PA Wire/PA Images – Steve Parsons
However, true love is not a smooth process (Steve Parsons/PA).PA Wire/PA Images – Steve Parsons
The legwork was done by the husbands (Steve Parsons/PA).PA Wire/PA Images – Steve Parsons
A variety of techniques were employed by the competing couples as they sought to keep up with the Jones’s and anyone else in the race.
The old saying that marriage is an obstacle was proved true by buckets full of water and bales of hay.
Couples took on the challenge (Steve Parsons/PA).PA Wire/PA Images – Steve Parsons
Millie Barnham and Alex Bone had differing views on the race (Steve Parsons/PA).PA Wire/PA Images – Steve Parsons
The couples were faced with a brutal (Steve Parsons/PA).PA Wire/PA Images – Steve Parsons
People who believe marriage is an obstacle to humankind were proved wrong by Steve Parsons/PAPA Wire/PA Images – Steve Parsons
Different couples tried different ways to get across the race (Steve Parsons/PA).PA Wire/PA Images – Steve Parsons
There was nothing that could dampen the enthusiasm of the competitors (Steve Parsons/PA).PA Wire/PA Images – Steve Parsons
The competitors finished the race, for better or worse.