World's Wackiest Races

On your mark, get set, check out the world's wackiest races. Racers compete in wild feats of strength and speed -- sometimes even in stilettos -- carrying brides and pushing hospital beds.

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Run for Your Lives, Nationwide

See if you can escape zombies in the annual Run For Your Lives 5K obstacle race. This is one race where a muscle cramp may spell the start of even bigger problems -- like being caught by brain-eating zombies!

Marathon du Medoc, France

France's Bordeaux region shows off its national character in the annual Marathon du Medoc, with participants drinking wine (and yes, running, too) through some of the world's greatest vineyards.

Runaway Bridesmaids, NYC

Travel Channel's Lost Girls prove that you really can wear that bridesmaid dress again (and for a good cause!). The Lost Girls take on a new name for the day as The Runaway Bridesmaids to run the Fifth Avenue Mile in NYC -- in dresses -- to raise money to fight sex trafficking worldwide.

High Heel Race, Washington, DC

Halloween in the nation’s capital is a spirited affair, courtesy of the annual High Heel Race. Onlookers gather in Dupont Circle to watch drag queens show off their extravagant outfits and race down 17th Street in high heels.

Muddy Buddy, Nationwide

Teams of 2 run together through an off-road obstacle course, complete with military-style challenges. At the end of the race, each duo crawls through a mud pit before crossing the finish line together as official “Muddy Buddies”!

Pattaya International Bed Race, Thailand

There’s no time to rest for participants in the Pattaya International Bed Race. Runners pushing hospital beds, boat beds and even a bed designed as a bathtub race down a popular strip of this beach town in Thailand.

Bride-Carrying Race, China

Grooms carry their brides during a mini-marathon celebrating the New Year in Sanya, in south China's Hainan province.

Red Bull Soapbox Derby, Budapest

Participants of Red Bull Soapbox Derby compete on a 656-yard track in Budapest, Hungary. Racing against the clock, they speed to the finish line in handmade vehicles.

Empire State Building Run-Up, NYC

At the Empire State Building Run-Up, runners climb 86 floors, 1,576 steps and roughly 1/5 mile, on their way to the observation deck. No elevators for these die-hard runners!

Great Knutsford Race, England

You’ll have to wait until 2020 for the next Great Knutsford Race, a 3-hour competition on penny-farthing bicycles that’s held once a decade. Competitors come from all over the world to race on these 1880s-era high-wheelers in Knutsford, England.

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World's Wackiest Races

Related To:

Shop This Look

Run for Your Lives, Nationwide

Marathon du Medoc, France

Runaway Bridesmaids, NYC

High Heel Race, Washington, DC

Muddy Buddy, Nationwide

Pattaya International Bed Race, Thailand

Bride-Carrying Race, China

Red Bull Soapbox Derby, Budapest

Empire State Building Run-Up, NYC

Great Knutsford Race, England

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