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How far can a love of cheese go? For some, it's down a steep hill: we're talking about cheese rolling, a competition held in Gloucestershire, England. Hundreds of people run for about 200 meters, chasing a cheese rolling downhill at about 100 km/h, to win the coveted prize: a 4-kilogram wheel of Double Gloucester.
Cheese Rolling: a British Tradition
The rules are very simple: a wheel of cheese is thrown down Cooper's Hill, followed by hundreds of people, who risk falling and injuring themselves in the process. A tradition that has been handed down for decades, perhaps centuries, the origins of which are still not fully understood: some say it derives from the claiming of grazing rights on the land around Cooper's Hill, others believe it is a fertility ritual, and still others believe it is linked to pagan rites celebrating the return of spring. In any case, it is not just that: cheese rolling is considered a true extreme sport, in which thousands of people participate and watch.
Whatever its origins, it's a tradition and, above all, an event that attracts countless tourists from all over the world: in 2009, the cheese rolling was even canceled when more than 15,000 people showed up to watch. The cause for concern wasn't so much the participants —now willing to harm themselves just to participate—but the popularity of the competition, which draws unmanageable crowds every year. Since 2010, the event has been held unofficially, under police supervision and with local roads closed for a four and a half kilometer stretch around the slope.
A World Event
An almost global success, with television crews and competitors arriving from all over the world to follow the competition: this year ‘s race, for example, held on May 26, was won by German YouTuber Tom Kopke, winner for the second consecutive year. But in past years there have been participants from every continent, such as Kenny Rackers, 27, who undertook a journey from Colorado Springs to Cooper's Hill to run after the cheese wheel wearing a stars and stripes tracksuit: as he told The Guardian, he traveled "3,000 or 4,000 miles just for this race. I had it on my bucket list and today I wanted to win it, and that's what I did." Or, also, Canadian Delaney Irving, winner of the women's competition despite being unconscious: she only realized she had won when she woke up in the medical tent. She also told The Guardian: "I remember running, then hitting my head and waking up in the tent. I still can't believe it, but it's an amazing feeling."
Cheese Rolling Also Exists in The U.S.
Cheese rolling has also made its way to the United States in the form of local adaptations and playful festivals. While it’s not a traditional American pastime, several communities across the U.S. have embraced the quirky spirit of the event, organizing their own cheese-rolling competitions as part of food festivals or cultural celebrations. These American versions tend to be more controlled and safety-conscious, often held on gentler hills and designed for families and spectators to enjoy. Despite the differences, the essence remains the same—enthusiasts chasing a wheel of cheese downhill in a joyful, slightly chaotic celebration of tradition and fun.
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