Released on = October 1, 2006, 7:15 am

Press Release Author = Katie Stephens

Industry =

Press Release Summary = Novel event at Hereford Racecourse on Sunday 15 October

Press Release Body = TIRED of football and other boring sports? Hereford Racecourse
has the answer . . . wife carrying.

The race on Sunday 15 October - reminiscent of a past when men courted women by
picking them up and running off with them - is one of the highlights of the
racecourse's 'Beer & Cider Day'.

The traditional first prize in the sport's homeland of Finland is the couple's
combined weight in beer. In the case of the Hereford race, the prize is
appropriately Strongbow cider from the sponsors Bulmers.

Entrants for the Hereford race do not need to be married, or even be in a
relationship, but the 'wife' must be over 17 years old.

There are a number of different 'styles' in which to carry a wife:

*Piggyback;

*Fireman's lift - wife slung over shoulder;

*Estonian - wife hangs upside-down with her legs around her husband's shoulders,
holding on to his waist.

Estonians are renowned wife carriers, though it is unclear if any from the Baltic
state will be at Hereford. They have won the world championship - held annually in
Finland - for the last nine years.

Hereford Racecourse's General Manager Katie Stephens prefers the piggyback method.

"We have all manner of strange customs in the west of England - from cheese rolling
and church clipping through to bread throwing and wassailing the apple tree," said
Katie. "So we're just adding wife carrying to the mix for our major jump racing
fixture of the autumn."

Entries for the wife-carrying race can be made by calling 01432 273560, emailing
hglover@hereford-racecourse.co.uk, or on the day.

A special admission package, which has to be bought in advance, has been put
together for 'Beer & Cider Day'. For £20: Grandstand admission; a £2 Tote bet;
three pints of beer, cider or lager; a Beer & Cider Day pint glass; and a chicken
balti meal and chips.

There is also a pre-racing pub quiz in the racecourse's Winning Post bar, with a
£100 prize, plus live music.

The day is supported by Wye Valley Brewery, Bulmers and the Flavours of
Herefordshire Food Festival which takes place at the racecourse on both days of the
following weekend - 21 & 22 October.

*The first horse race at Hereford Racecourse on 'Beer & Cider Day' - Sunday 15
October - is due off at 2.10pm. Admission into the Grandstand Enclosure is £15.
Accompanied children under 16 enter free of charge. More information can be found
on web site www.hereford-racecourse.co.uk or by telephoning the racecourse on 01432
273560. Ticket hotline 08700 115 007.

ENDS 445 words

Web Site = http://www.hereford-racecourse.co.uk

Contact Details = Hereford Racecourse, UK
(44) 1432 273560
info@hereford-racecourse.co.uk