Special Features - Crazy cheese rolling

Crazy cheese rolling
(01/06/07)

Cool, wet conditions did not deter competitors from taking part in the ever popular and slightly insane annual cheese rolling event that takes place in Gloucestershire every year.

Race for cheese

The annual event, which can claim links back to Saxon times, sees competitors hurl themselves down a very steep incline - a one in two gradient in places - following a massive Double Gloucester cheese which rolls at an estimated 70 miles per hour.

Over 3,000 spectators watched the race, which has become one of the UK's best-known quirky events in recent years.

Free to enter

Entrance to the race is free - you just need to turn up on the day. There are five downhill races, which start at 12.00pm and run until 1.20pm. In addition to the downhill races, uphill races also take place for girls, boys, men and women - no cheese involved!

Jason Crowther, from west Wales, won the first race completing a hat-trick of victories over the last three years. The 25-year-old said: "There's no training you can do for this." He added: "It was a bit slippery and I heard something crack, which I think was my knee".

At the end of the fifth race, organisers allow spectators to run and roll down the hill in small groups - see the video clip to the right. What was originally supposed to be a couple of these 'experiences' turned into race, after race after race, as many of the crowd plucked up the courage to try it out for themselves!

The cheese

Race winners receive the 8lb cheese they have chased after. Since 1988, the cheeses have been hand-made by Mrs. Diana Smart of Churcham, using milk from her herd of Brown Swiss, Holstein and Gloucester cows. She is the only person in Gloucestershire now making Double Gloucester cheeses by hand, using traditional methods.

During rationing in the Second World War the cheese was replaced by a wooden replica, still with a piece of cheese inside.

Competitors from all over the world

Bob Blumer came all the way from Canada to join in the fun as part of a reality show he was filming for Canadian television - he didn't win his race, but was happy to have taken part in the event.

Another relatively famous entrant, Japanese comedian, Daisuki Miyazawa, came second in the fourth race of the afternoon.

Keep an eye on the Cheese rolling website for details of the 2008 race. You never know, you could make a name for yourself in the world of cheese chasing by entering - and maybe winning - the event next year.

Related links
Cheese rolling