Finnish wife-carrying competition makes its way to the U.S.

The Finnish sport of "wife-carrying" is gaining popularity on the shores of the United States, with the North American Wife-Carrying Championships being held in Maine on Saturday.

Competitors do not need to be married to tackle the 278-yard, horseshoe-shaped obstacle course, which includes mud pits and log hurdles.

The event has been held in the United States for the past 15 years, and its history goes back further in its native Finland, according to Reuters.

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The competition began [in Finland] in the 1990s and was inspired loosely by the legend of a 19th century outlaw who tested the mettle of his gang of robbers by having them run an obstacle course with a woman on their backs.

The winners of the North American championship receive the man's weight in beer and 10 times the woman's weight in cash, and the winners will take part in an international championship that will include teams from as far away as Australia and Estonia.

- Brendan Maloy