A couple from Russia have clinched the World Wife Carrying Championship title, organisers in central Finland say.
Dmitriy Sagal carried his female teammate Anastasia Loginova around the 253-metre sand track in 1 minute and 2 seconds.
Some 35 couples from almost a dozen countries, including Australia, Germany, Sweden and the United States, competed in Saturday's race at the Sonkajarvi track, which includes a one-metre deep water obstacle.
Carrying styles vary, but in most cases the woman is carried upside-down over her teammate's shoulders.
The winning Russian duo had finished third last year. At a close second, five seconds behind the winners, were Finnish couple Taisto Miettinen and Kristiina Haapanen.
Finland's Ville Parvaianen, who won in 2014 and 2015 - albeit with different partners - finished third with teammate Janette Oksanen.
The rules state that contestants do not have to be married, but that female teammates must weigh at least 49 kilograms and be at least 17 years old.
They also state that "all the participants must have fun."
The wife carrying contest is one of several wacky competitions held during the summer in the Nordic country. Another event is the world air guitar championships.
