UK Wife Carrying Race winner Vytautas Kirkliauskas said he did not expect to win in a post-race interview alongside his wife Neringa Kirkliauskiene on Sunday (March 5).

Pairs participating in the bizarre race in Dorking, Surrey, navigate a 380-metre course facing obstacles along the way, including hay bales and volunteers throwing buckets of water. The rules state the "wife" does not have to be the carrier's actual wife, can be male or female, and must be over 18 years old and weigh at least 50kg.

Kirkliauskas said, 'I told my wife we do not expect to win because we were here twice and never won this race' but 'after the turn and when I passed Alex, my main competitor, I thought we can win it, but only then'.

The winning couple, who completed the course in 1 minute 52 seconds, had travelled from Lithuania to take part in the race after being invited by the organiser. They have previously won the World Wife Carrying Championship twice.

The winners receive a barrel of local ale worth £150, and £250 towards their expenses at the World Wife Carrying Championships, which takes place in Finland in July.

He added, 'guys, take your wife, put her on your shoulder and come here to Dorking - very nice competition, good for relationship, good for family, good for health, everything is perfect'.

He thanked the crowd for their support, adding 'and now, let's drink some beer!'