Cheese chasing: A weird sport that celebrates the growth of new crops
Imagine a giant ball of cheese rolling down a hill and a bunch of people chasing it. Sounds crazy, right? Why, on earth, would anyone do that? Well, this is actually the sight of a world-famous event ‘Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake’ held every year near Gloucester in England. Here is a low-down on this weird game.
How did this game originate?
Wondering how it all started? Though the origin of the competition is not established, it is believed that it may have started 600 years ago. However, the first written record of the cheese-rolling race goes back to 1826. Some locals suggest that it was started by the ancient Romans, who had a fort on Cooper's Hill. The most popular theory of why the game is held says that it is a celebration of the end of winter and the growth of new crops.
How is the game is played?
The Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is an annual event held on the Spring Bank Holiday at Cooper's Hill, near Gloucester in England. Played in groups of about 20, participants race down the 180-metre-long hill after a nine-pound round of Double Gloucester cheese is sent rolling down by the master of ceremonies from the top of the incline of Cooper’s Hill at the count of three.
Over the years, some of the rules have changed. Earlier, whoever caught this cheese roll would be declared the winner. But now, the person who crosses the finish line is declared the winner and gets to keep the cheese wheel. Also, the real cheese wheel has been replaced with a foam replica since 2013. But the winner gets a real cheese roll as the prize.
But why cheese? Well, Gloucester is well known for its traditional semi-hard cheese, being made here since the 16th century. The cheese is traditionally made from Gloucester cattle.
A dangerous game
It may sound all fun to you but a big lump of cheese is quite a hazard when rolled down a hill at speed! Many participants cannot maintain their balance while chasing it and either roll down sideways or tumble head over heels on their way down. Even the onlookers are not safe and get injured many times.
The world-famous event attracts a huge crowd sometimes more than what the hill can accommodate. And due to this reason, it was even cancelled in 2009 over safety concerns. But the following year it was renewed with one caveat that the event would not be organised officially but will be a spontaneous event organised by local people.
Bonus fact: Who won the cheese ball in 2022? Well, it was an American woman who travelled all the way to the UK to compete and win the cheese-rolling championship this year. She is the 21-year-old Abby Lampe who grabbed the women's title, tumbling down the Cooper’s Hill in just 15 seconds.