Yesterday, thousands assembled in Gloucestershire for the traditional cheese-rolling races held on Cooper’s Hill.
Despite police warnings that those organizing could face legal action if an incident occurred, the unofficial event took place.
Approximately 3,000 individuals turned out to witness adventurers pursuing a foam replica of a double Gloucester cheese.
This tradition, located near Brockworth in Gloucester, has roots that trace back to at least the early 19th century.
To enhance safety during the downhill race this year, organizers opted for a lightweight foam version in place of the cheese.
The first race’s winner, 27-year-old Kenny Rackers, an estate agent from Colorado Springs, USA, shared that he traveled 4,000 miles (6,400km) specifically for the event.
“I dedicated a lot of time to train for this and I got hurt while practicing on the hill. I arrived three days early and took a nasty tumble, but I was determined to win, and that’s exactly what I did,” he remarked.
“I journeyed 3,000 or 4,000 miles just for this race. It was on my bucket list and winning today was my goal, which I accomplished,” he expressed.
The second race saw Ozzie traveler Caleb Stalder, currently residing in London, taking the win.
“You have zero control over yourself; it’s basically a matter of rolling down and seeing where you land,” he stated.
“I can’t believe I actually caught the cheese. It’s amazing. I was not among the first to reach the bottom, but the cheese took an unexpected turn, and I managed to grab it,” he added.
Competitors from Brockworth claimed victories in the women’s race and the third men’s race, while a man from Japan dressed as a ninja won the fourth race.
During the last official event in 2009, around 15,000 people attended, raising concerns about crowd sizes, as Cooper’s Hill can accommodate roughly a third of that number.
Since then, local enthusiasts have organized unofficial races each year during the late spring bank holiday.
Earlier, Gloucestershire Police confirmed that they had provided guidance to participants involved in planning the unofficial event.
“We believe it’s crucial for those who could be legally recognized as organizers to understand the responsibilities associated with it, enabling them to make informed choices about their participation,” stated a police spokesperson.
