The annual Cheese Rolling event took place this. Here’s how it unfolded.

First of all, what is cheese rolling?

The race involves participants running, or more accurately, tumbling down a steep 200-yard hill while chasing a rolling wheel of cheese. The event is unique to Gloucestershire, specifically Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, and dates back to 1826.

Every year, people travel from across the world to take part. Whoever reaches the bottom of the hill first wins the 3-4kg wheel of Double Gloucester cheese, which races downhill alongside the competitors. The cheese can reach breakneck speeds and has even been known to injure spectators.

Despite serious safety concerns, the event continues to draw crowds, with dozens of participants and thousands of spectators. In 2023, Canadian Delaney Irving famously won the women’s race despite being knocked unconscious and unaware she’d even crossed the line.

A review of this year’s event

Multiple races took place throughout the day, including Men’s, Women’s, and even Children’s events, yes, children’s races. Several of these races were named in memory of past champions who have since passed away.

In the first Men’s race of the day, German YouTuber Tom Kopke successfully defended his title, winning for the second year in a row. Kopke, known as ‘Tooleko’ on YouTube with over 360,000 subscribers, literally threw himself across the finish line to secure another cheese wheel. His channel tagline, “Going the Extra Mile (for Content),” certainly holds true, with past videos including everything from marathons to reindeer racing.

In the second Men’s race, “Superman” soared or rather tumbled, to victory. Luke Briggs, dressed in full fancy dress, clinched the win for Gloucestershire locals, showing that the event is both competitive and joyfully absurd.

The Women’s race saw Ava Sender Logan win in her debut appearance. Her triumph was a reminder that anyone can take part in this wonderfully chaotic sport, provided they’re brave enough to face the infamous hill. While many come to watch, those willing to tackle the treacherous descent are welcomed to the top. That said, spectators aren’t completely safe either. At least one was reportedly injured during the event.

Unlike previous years, which were marred by slippery mud and rain, this year’s dry and hardened ground presented a new kind of danger. Without the usual cushion of soft terrain, competitors had a harder and more painful ride to the bottom.

Now that the 2025 edition is wrapped up, Cooper’s Hill awaits its next batch of daring thrill-seekers. Cheese rolling in Gloucestershire perfectly captures the spirit of niche sports. The wild, weird, and wildly entertaining.