![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1dw4DpNYcK-6Txam2cE0dfYv_15QEttMMx2kfRWyRIyDWgOlLxXNTh-JBHd_5vlvcPKvE_bN3T-Uaqx5GMnBW1y5I5r2ef1nQVCF2WoOFvjjHz0h6vTjQ8SfUeEepmvS75iYSBfj_Heb/s320/_41699806_cheeserolling203x300.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkY6ZVhiYDuxtAkvUL1lG6di-pvpX6wkMpSNb8OEnqQGLuC8_sba2Qbhpt0Bu19Vx-DqRtq9-xs79CyJZ41y_pLFzfcZvaCpoBrDgQPhpkr2UkiFQvGx9lxfbnYb8A8RSSrU1QwblIxfcs/s320/127_2762_second_race.jpg)
But it isn't like rolling Easter Eggs, oh no. The Master of Ceremonies "releases" a 7-8 lb wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down the hill, yells "Go!", and the competitors launch themselves off the hill and chase after it. The first one down the hill wins.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-p5EQqX2t6YbvFYskdPSJCv-qdURcCYhCSyuH9HcUxgibIoP_i0PDV-sgbVAUPJir4RfPy8bF4xfNYTsACB4_4aKUcc4OFlI17dhglVg7JBg1KL1FWRvX0nPfXcYo0MyejKT1aNqpfNq/s320/coopers_hill_scarred_looking_up.jpg)
And did I mention that this hill is STEEP? It's 200 m long and has a 2:1, sometimes 1:1 gradient. No wonder that scores of people get injured every year -- sprained ankles and fingers, broken bones, even head injuries to spectators who get hit by flying cheeses. I can't help smiling as I read that last sentence, but I'm sure it's not funny to the person who gets knocked unconscious by a wheel of cheese. Yet thousands of spectators and dozens of competitors go back, year after year.
The reward for this great effort? Third place gets 5 quid, second place gets 10. The winner gets the cheese. Not sure if it's the actual cheese that rolled down the hill, or if he/she gets a fresh cheese.
And I thought Bay to Breakers was a crazy race.
8 comments:
interesting... and look at that crowd! grabe!
Very interesting!! :) I want to go now!!
Oh, I have seen this one before on TV. It's amazing how many people join the event despite the risk of getting hurt.
This is hilarious, thanks for sharing. And, I really hope the winner gets a new cheese. Not sure if I'd want to pick off the grass stains!
Interesting and looks like a lot of fun! Except for the injuries sustained, of course.
Nice photos, :)
hahaha. that is so funny!
a woman actually won the race
:-P
This is one of the funniest things I've ever read on a blog.
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