Flailing limbs everywhere as competitors tumble after cheese rolling down a hill

Thousands of people turned out to watch contestants chase some cheese down a hill today.

It might look and sound crazy, but this historic event in Gloucestershire is actually world famous and dates way back to the 1800s – although some suggest it could be even older.

Participants start at the top of the very steep Cooper’s Hill in the village of Brockworth before a nine-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese is released.

Brave competitors then risk life and limb as they hurl themselves down the almost vertical 200-yard slope in pursuit of the cheese, which can reach speeds of up to 70mph. 

The rules? The first one to the bottom wins. The risks? It’s painful.

Today’s race was no different as the chasing pack tumbled, rolled and battled on to try and make it to the finish line.

As the late bank holiday Monday tradition took centre stage, limbs were flailing everywhere.

The grimacing faces of those taking part perhaps tell you everything you need to know about this weird and wacky contest.

Not everyone made it the whole way with at least one person reportedly suffering an injury and being carried away on a stretcher. 

When you see what’s happening, it’s hardly surprising.

But the injury toll this year wasn’t nearly as bad as 1997 when 33 people needed treatment.

People travel from far and wide to participate in the day, which has no ‘official’ organisers and takes place without the support of the emergency services or local authorities.

Instead, volunteers from the local rugby club help catch falling contestants and see to any of the injured athletes (yes, it’s officially an extreme sport).

Competitors are warned beforehand that they take part entirely at their own risk.

That makes sense, given the obvious dangers that face you when you launch yourself down a massive uneven hill.

‘What is the point?’ You might ask.

Well it’s all in the name of tradition and keeping alive an event that was first entered into the history books 197 years ago in 1826.

Some theories about its history suggest it could be as many as 600 years old.

Results of the race have been recorded since 1985, with the contest taking place every year since then, barring a couple of exceptions.

Winners of the race have come from a wide range of different countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Nepal, New Zealand and the United States.

The 2001 event was abandoned due to foot-and-mouth disease and the 2003 race was called off after the volunteer safety team was diverted to Algeria following an earthquake.

A solitary cheese was still rolled down the hill in both years to retain tradition. 

Then in 2020 and 2021, the contest was unable to go ahead because of the Covid pandemic.

But it returned with a vengeance last year, when some of the faces were a sight to behold.

In other wacky events this month, almost 1,500 Kyles travelled to Kyle for world’s biggest gathering of Kyles.

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