Monica Newton and Luke Cherney participate in a wife carrying competition in Sunday River, Maine. (Photo courtesy of Kaet Johnson)

MARQUETTE – At 1 p.m. on May 31st, Marquette Mountain will be holding its second iteration of the wife-carrying competition, an obstacle course footrace consisting of two-person teams where one teammate carries the other. The wife-carrying competition is part of Marquette Mountain’s ongoing effort to diversify its offerings, pivoting towards being a year-round recreation hub.

The race is held on a 278-yard course, with teams navigating hurdles, mud pits, and sand hills. Spectating is free, while teams must pay an entry fee. The winner receives the wife’s weight in beer.

When asked what kind of beer, Marquette Mountain general manager Kaet Johnson replied “Last year it was what we had in the cooler! It will likely be similar this year unless a business, brewery, or distributor would like to partner with us and sponsor the 1st place prize.”

“We had 9 teams register for the event last year,” said Johnson. “Each team had a cheering section plus other spectators that came to watch. The winners of our event went on to win the heavyweight division at the North American Championships in Sunday River, Maine.”

That team called themselves “Ski Daddlers One” and consisted of Monica Newton and Luke Cherney. Their official time at the North American Championships was 49:54, and they placed sixth overall.

The wife-carrying competition originated in Finland in the 90s, and has since spread around the world. Contrary to the name of the event, teams do not need to be married to each other or to anyone at all to compete; Marquette Mountain’s rules only stipulate that both competitors are over the age of 21.

“There is no restriction on how the female/wife teammate is carried,” says the event page on Marquette Mountain’s website. “Several types of carry are commonly used including the Piggyback and Fireman’s Carry (over the shoulder), but the most popular is the Estonian Carry (the wife hangs upside-down with her legs around the husband’s shoulders, holding onto his waist).”

The Wife Carrying Competition is only one of several new events and offerings at Marquette Mountain.

“Marquette Mountain is transitioning to a year-round outdoor recreation center,” said Johnson. “The new events are part of that transition. We look for quirky, unique, and fun events that get people outside and provide a bit of a challenge. This fits in with our Adventure for Every Season mission and complements the ongoing Downhill Hill Lift Access Bike Park, Gravity Series Racing, Guided Historical Tours of Marquette by Kayak, Sand Volleyball Leagues, Disc Golf Course, Art on the Mountain and the Marji Gesick Quitter Party and Aid Station. We are also the home base for Marquette Trails Fest and the Marquette Fall Enduro.

“We also do venue rentals and food catering for weddings and other private parties or business meetings. My goal is to have an on-mountain wedding ceremony this coming winter. Get in touch with us if you would like a winter wedding and want to marry on the mountain!”

Those looking for more information can visit Marquette Mountain’s website or call 906-225-1155