Cheese Rolling

Chris Anderson

Cooper’s Hill, May Day , 2006: The weather was suitably chaotic, veering between blinding sunshine, driving rain and dense hail; a fitting backdrop for the madness about to ensue.

The sides of the steep hill were lined with eager - some might say bloodthirsty - spectators, jostling for the best vantage point from which to watch the carnage unfold.

The ‘Competitor’s Arena’ (aka the top of the hill) was almost as packed. Hundreds of brave or foolhardy souls travel from all corners of the globe to risk life and limb in pursuit of a dairy product with an approximate retail value of £12.99.

Joining the more serious racers were a selection of outlandishly dressed attention-seekers: superheroes, sumo wrestlers and a shivering girl in a Union Jack swimming costume.

Dione Carter

The main event passes in a blur of tumbling humans. It’s impossible to know where to look, and each race is over before you can say “ouch“. Victory, it seems, depends less on being a good runner than a fast faller; it’s all about throwing caution to the wind.

Three of the five race winners were previous champions. Whether it was strategy, athleticism or just a complete disregard for self-preservation, Chris Anderson, Dione Carter, and Jason Crowther proved yet again that they had the 'right stuff'.
“It was worth it,” gasped a battered-looking Jason Crowther, proudly clutching his cheese as he staggered off into the sunset.

The fourth race was declared void when the over-eager horde threw themselves down the hill before the Double Gloucester had been released. Brockworth lad Chris Anderson came an impressive first in both this 'illegal' race and its official replay. His head-over-heels tactics left him looking decidedly woozy (“I‘m a bit sore,” he said), but after a quicky medical exam he was deemed fit to bask in his glory before the assembled press pack.

Jason Crowther

Organisers reported the usual crop of relatively minor injuries: sprains, strains and breakages. Most of the competitors, however emerged battered but beaming.

And so another muddy, frenetic cheese roll drew to a close. The racers began to walk or limp home, bruised, embattled but mostly just intoxicated by the sheer thrill of the country’s most anarchic sporting event.

Men's Race 1 Results:

1st - Jason Crowther (South Wales)
2nd- Craig Fairley (Brockworth)
3rd- Carl Jyde (Brockworth)

Men's Race 2 Results:

1st - Craig Fairley (Brockworth)
2nd- John Fairley (Brockworth)
3rd- Jack Williams (Brockworth)

Craig Fairley

Women's Race Results:

1st - Dione Carter (New Zealand)
2nd- Caroline Roberts (Brockworth)
3rd- Kirstie Pettifer

Men's Race 3 Results:

1st - Chris Anderson (Brockworth)
2nd- Craig Fairley (Brockworth)
3rd- Jason Stephen (Gloucester)

Men's Race 4 Results:

1st - Andrew Brewin (Souhhampton)
2nd- Damian Stewart (Australia)
3rd- Tom Baker (Stonehouse)

Let us know what you make of Cheese Rolling by filling in the simple form at the very bottom of this page. Here's what many of you have already said...

Amanda
I think it's a lovely sport, my second favorite in fact, and I'd love a go.

Amy mcgivern
I think it is a beautiful sport trhat has been forgotten. it should be more popular and entered in the olympics. i would love to have ago myself. xxxxxxxxx

Robert McGlinn
Maybe next year Wallace and Gromit will have a go, boy those Brits love thier cheese.

Paul
Cheese Rolling is great

Saddo Joe
Omg

Sidney
It's genius. It's a gift from the gods. It's humanity at its best. Is' ridiculous and dangerous, but BEAUTIFUL. It;s the grandaddy of stand-up from an ancient time when people had a sense of humor about life.

paris - aged 7 - christchurch school,
i think it is a very silly thing to do and i would not want to try it ever because you could get hurt.

Lisa Cullis
It is amazing! i took all my boyfriend and friends from uni to have the experience of there life time! they all loved and were going back next year! Yes you have to be mad and a daredevil but thats the fun of watching it

sqwoggs
just got back cheese rolling is a class n painful experence keep it going man its ace

bob
Its absolutly brilliant why would you stop its funny!

Sharone
Can see this out of my windows, and its as mad as can be! But everyone loves it, and only people who want to, need to take part, so enjoy you mad lot, but rather you than me!

Wend
I think the people who participate are a little mad, but it's nice to know that in this 'politically correct, health and safety' run world that some good old fashioned traditions stil continue. Long may it do so!

ryan
i love the cheese roll its a propa big day out gettin smashed lol my bro won it last year so i am guna do it this time round

wazir
i love this sport you should put it in most london areas it is fun.

Hope
I think you should send those cheeses to Africa or other starving people in the world. and roll yourself down hill that will be fun.

simon
Cheese rolling combines competition, danger and a hufe sense of fun and games! well done boys youve showed what sport really is

Javier Valiente
now just looking for the next event to participate before I get to old to do it

Phil Clarke
See ya all in 2007 I'm comming to get a cheese

stu
Divine madness !

Dorian Eberly
Rock (and roll) on! I'd take a turn but at my age I would break a hip. Sorry I missed out on all the fun.

chloe
im doing a speech on this and it is very intresting i hope to one day come out and see this amazing event(i live in texas)

Kristy Pettifer
EY, you spelt my name wrong! (3rd in the womens race) ps im from AUSTRALIA!

Harold Bishop
Cheese rolling rules, should be an olympics sport in my opinion

jessica, faye nd colette
we love chheserolling nd it is our new life abition watch out cheesey, tho it looks bare painful nd people went to hospital, but bare jks to watch especiallly the sumo dudes nd the dude trying to run nd just gets takin out, oh cheese rolling we love u!!!!!

Deborah
Stop why? Is the must funny sport I've heart in my whole life.....is just amazing...keep doing.!!!