On May Bank Holiday Monday every year at midday, a crowd as large as 4,000, gather to watch people throw themselves down a steep grassy bank in pursuit of an 8lb Double Gloucester lump of cheese.
People travel from all over the globe to watch and participate in this world-famous “sporting event”, in fact back in 2013, a 27-year-old American man and a 39-year-old Japanese man each won one of the four races.
The Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling Festival at Coopers Hill, Brockworth is a 200 year old annual tradition for crazy people. This wacky local tradition is held just a couple of miles down the road from where we used to live.
Have I been to this event? Absolutely!!! Have I taken part???
People travel from all over the globe to watch and participate in this world-famous “sporting event”, in fact back in 2013, a 27-year-old American man and a 39-year-old Japanese man each won one of the four races.
The Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling Festival at Coopers Hill, Brockworth is a 200 year old annual tradition for crazy people. This wacky local tradition is held just a couple of miles down the road from where we used to live.
Have I been to this event? Absolutely!!! Have I taken part???
Hell-no, do you think I’m that crazy??!!
The rules:
The aim is to catch the cheese, but as it gathers speeds of up to 70mph, the chances are pretty slim!
There are different events to suit everyone each consisting of between 20 – 40 participants.
x3 male downhill cheese race
(3 races, because it’s that popular!)
x1 female downhill cheese race
x1 Boys under 14’s uphill race
x1 Girls under 14’s uphill race
x1 Mixed over 14’s uphill races
And the finale ..... one massive downhill chase – this one is unofficial … there is no cheese to chase, it’s purely for fun!
The rules:
- The Master of Ceremonies will throw a lump of cheese down the 1 in 2 gradient hill which signifies the start of the race.
- Participants run like crazy after said cheese trying hard not to break your neck tripping over the bodies falling all around you
- Be the first to the bottom of the hill pass the finish line and claim your prize – the cheese!
The aim is to catch the cheese, but as it gathers speeds of up to 70mph, the chances are pretty slim!
There are different events to suit everyone each consisting of between 20 – 40 participants.
x3 male downhill cheese race
(3 races, because it’s that popular!)
x1 female downhill cheese race
x1 Boys under 14’s uphill race
x1 Girls under 14’s uphill race
x1 Mixed over 14’s uphill races
And the finale ..... one massive downhill chase – this one is unofficial … there is no cheese to chase, it’s purely for fun!
A great example of the crowds and participants that gather for the main 'cheesey' events!
The uphill struggle is real for the runners of the Uphill races
Head over heals!! Even football boots can't help!
Although the history of this event dates back to at least the 1800’s, the origins of the race are uncertain but in truth, it’s that crazy, who really cares??!!
The trick to winning as advised by 16-time champion is when running down, lean back! It’s as simple as that ... but it’s all too easy to trip over when momentum takes hold of you!
People do injure themselves, some actually break bones such as ankles, legs etc – which unfortunately we did actually witness ourselves... all for a Cheese?
The trick to winning as advised by 16-time champion is when running down, lean back! It’s as simple as that ... but it’s all too easy to trip over when momentum takes hold of you!
People do injure themselves, some actually break bones such as ankles, legs etc – which unfortunately we did actually witness ourselves... all for a Cheese?
Look how steep this hill is!!
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Paramedics help an injured participant
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For this event to run officially, there has to be volunteer medics and a first aid service provided by St John’s Ambulance to whisk away the injured should it be required, plus volunteer “catchers” at the bottom to attempt to cushion the runners’ fall.
One year, however, there were no volunteers available and the event was cancelled.
One year, however, there were no volunteers available and the event was cancelled.
View from the top is amazing!
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Cheese rolling cancelled??
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This didn’t stop the hard core cheese rollers – and this was one of the years I visited! OK so there weren’t crowds of hundreds of people, but there were still willing participants who were prepared to race down the hill. But there was no prize. There was no cheese!!
So where does the cheese come from? Well, the same woman has been hand-making the cheese since 1988. Diana Smart in Churcham, Gloucestershire uses milk from her herd of Brown Swiss, Holstein and Gloucester cows and is the only person in Gloucestershire making Double Gloucester cheese using traditional methods. Of course you would – if you knew it would be going to such good use!
So where does the cheese come from? Well, the same woman has been hand-making the cheese since 1988. Diana Smart in Churcham, Gloucestershire uses milk from her herd of Brown Swiss, Holstein and Gloucester cows and is the only person in Gloucestershire making Double Gloucester cheese using traditional methods. Of course you would – if you knew it would be going to such good use!
Diana Smart and her "Cheesey Grin" - I could not help myself!
If you want to see a cheese race without waiting until next year or travelling great distances, have a look at this you tube video below....
Personally, if I wanted cheese that badly, I would pop to the local supermarket, but each to their own!
Personally, if I wanted cheese that badly, I would pop to the local supermarket, but each to their own!
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