A “WIFE-carrying” race ended with the winners deciding to get engaged.

Chris Hepworth proposed to Tanisha Prince after they triumphed in yesterday’s annual UK competition — which despite its name is open to unmarried pairings.

She said yes, and Chris now hopes they compete in the world championships in Finland as a proper married couple.

Race organiser Rob McCaffrey told the couple, both 28: “That is a first for the race. Really glad you put a ring on it.”

Dozens of couples braved wind and rain in Dorking, Surrey, for the race, which sees one half of a couple carry the other over a 400-yard obstacle course including hay bales, a hill and buckets of water thrown in the face.

Organisers claim the tradition dates back to the Viking raiders carrying off local British women in 793AD.