Participants risk life and limb in cheese rolling contest in U.K.
The first-ever written evidence of the cheese rolling competition is from 1826, but it could be more than 2,000 years old.
www.cbsnews.comHere’s the latest I can share on cheese rolling.
- In Gloucestershire, the annual Cooper’s Hill cheese-rolling event continues to attract participants and spectators, despite ongoing safety concerns and official labeling of the event as high-risk or unsafe by some local authorities. These sources note hospital visits and safety advisories associated with the event, underscoring the physical danger involved in chasing a rolling cheese wheel down a steep hill.[1][4]
- Coverage from major outlets in 2024–2025 highlights participants from around the world taking part, including a mix of professional and enthusiast racers, with reports of extreme downhill speeds and tumbles as common features of the race. The tradition has a long history, with reference to its origins and enduring popularity across recent years.[3][4]
- For context on what typically happens during the event, organizers and media describe a steep 180-meter slope with a downhill chase of a double Gloucester cheese wheel, and past years have seen both dramatic spills and notable winners, sometimes drawing international attention through social media and news outlets.[6][7]
If you’d like, I can pull together a quick timeline of notable moments from the last few editions, or summarize safety advisories and what they imply for future events. I can also look up European or UK coverage from a specific outlet if you have a preference.
Citations:
- Gloucestershire cheese rolling safety and hospitalisation reports.[1]
- 2024–2025 coverage of participants and safety concerns.[4]
- Historical and ongoing coverage of the event’s return and notable moments.[7][3]