Dubbed both the world’s most perilous and, undeniably, one of its most absurd competitions, the Cheese Rolling involves a frantic 200-yard sprint after a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese. The objective is simple: pursue the cheese down a grassy slope and be the first to cross the finish. However, the execution proves far more challenging, as the hill’s extreme gradient can induce vertigo even before the race begins, and a safe descent to the bottom is by no means assured.

The origins of cheese rolling down Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, England, remain somewhat mysterious, though the first documented mention dates back to 1826. Theories suggest it could have evolved from an ancient pagan rite intended to ensure bountiful harvests, or perhaps it began as a barrel-testing practice, given the village’s cooper heritage.

Regardless of its beginnings, this tradition is fiercely cherished by the local community, who have actively defended its continuation. In the modern era, the event has gained global recognition, drawing massive crowds to the annual spectacle held on the last bank holiday in May, with victors arriving from diverse corners of the globe, including New Zealand, Australia, Egypt, and the United States.

The local community members, with their intimate knowledge of the terrain, ultimately prove to be the most successful.

The hill presents a formidable challenge with its ridiculously steep gradient, plunging at an initial 60-degree angle before leveling out to an average incline of 45 degrees. From the summit, the initial slope appears to be a sheer cliff, causing many runners to reconsider their participation at the last moment.

As one participant described, “The first 10 meters are practically vertical.” The advice given is to “almost dive into it and try to stay on your feet.” Participants are also advised that “As soon as you start, you can’t stop; you have to let momentum take over, try to remain upright, and if you fall, get up quickly.”

In the 2025 race, Tom Kopke of Germany secured his second victory in the first men’s race, while the women’s race was won by 20-year-old Eva. Later, in the second men’s race, Luke Briggs, dressed as Superman, emerged victorious. Byron from New Zealand won the final men’s race, and Ariel Denpsey took the women’s uphill race, admitting her participation was purely for efficiency.

Cheese rolling races are the epitome of pandemonium, with video footage capturing a scene of complete disarray. Participants struggle to stay on their feet, many resorting to sliding down on their rear ends, while others tumble uncontrollably, their composure completely abandoned.

Ankle injuries are frequent, with some observers reporting horrifying 180-degree misalignments, and concussions are also a significant risk; the 2023 women’s champion, Delaney Irving, was famously knocked unconscious near the finish line and only discovered her victory upon waking in the medical tent.

Unsurprisingly, alcohol consumption has become somewhat ingrained in the race, with many runners feeling the need for a pre-run tipple. While the race’s initial 6:30 p.m. start time was moved earlier due to widespread intoxication, runners now simply begin drinking earlier to gain the necessary “Dutch courage.”

Participants are explicitly warned via numerous signs that they run entirely at their own risk, as the local enthusiasts who orchestrate the event emphasize that they are not official organizers, meaning the event is uninsured and no one can be held liable for injuries.