Get ready to say cheese!
Adventurous racers are gearing up for one of the United Kingdom’s most eccentric events: the annual tradition of hurtling down a steep hill in pursuit of an eight-pound wheel of cheese, as reported by National Today.
But this isn’t just any cheese. It’s a wheel of Double Gloucester that reportedly reaches speeds of up to 70 mph as it careens down Cooper’s Hill.
This year’s Gloucester Cheese Rolling spectacle is slated for May 25, promising its usual dose of chaos and excitement, with contestants flying in from around the globe to join the fun.
The event features several races, drawing hundreds of participants and even more onlookers, with the crowd expanding annually as more people decide to dive into the action.
Competitors dash down the 200-yard incline of Cooper’s Hill, throwing themselves to the ground in a hilarious and exhilarating pursuit.
Think it’s easy? Think again.
There are sore bodies and scores of injuries, and the entrants finish dirt-streaked and weary — but raving that it was the most exciting 10 minutes of their year.
Victory goes to whoever survives the descent, crosses the finish line and grabs the cheese.
In 2022, a 21-year-old North Carolina native named Abby Lampe won the women’s cheese-roll race.
“It’s a funny thing,” Abby told Sports Illustrated after her victory. “I love doing competitions, especially ones that are obscure. I’ve done the Krispy Kreme Challenge (where participants eat a dozen donuts halfway through a five-mile race). I’m just a very competitive person.
“I did a test run first … but it was not what I expected. It was so much deeper in person than it looks in videos or photos. I slid around halfway down the hill and then stumbled and tumbled the rest of the way.”
This race dates back over 600 years, possibly rooted in ancient celebrations — though today it’s all about adrenaline and bragging rights.
If you fancy joining in, there’s no red tape to negotiate. All you have to do is show up — then stop, drop and roll.
