Last month I told you about the GoldenPalace.com monkey, this month GoldenPalace.com have taken on yet another publicity stunt by sponsoring the Finnish Wife-Carrying Championships in Sonkjärvi held July 1-3. Yup, according to the website, GoldenPalace.com is the main sponsor.

Here are the rules setup by the International Wife Carrying Competition Rules Committee:

* The length of the official track is 253.5 meters, and the surface of the track is partially sand, partially grass and partially gravel
* The track has two dry obstacles and a water obstacle, about one meter deep
* The wife to be carried may be your own, the neighbour’s or you may have found her farther afield; she must, however, be over 17 years of age
* The minimum weight of the wife to be carried is 49 kilos. If it is less than 49 kilos, the wife will be burdened with such a heavy rucksack that the total weight to be carried is 49 kilos.
* All the participants must have fun
* If a contestant drops his wife that couple will be fined 15 seconds per drop
* The only equipment allowed is a belt worn by the carrier
* The contestants run the race two at a time, so each heat is a contest in itself
* Each contestant takes care of his/her safety and, if deemed necessary, insurance
* The contestants have to pay attention to the instructions given by the organisers of the competition
* There is only one category in the World Championships and the winner is the couple who completes the course in the shortest time
* Also the most entertaining couple, the best costume and the strongest carrier will be awarded a special prize
* Participation fee is 50 euro