Centuries-Old Cheese Rolling Tradition in Brockworth Draws International Participants

Hundreds of competitors and spectators gathered on the steep slopes of Cooper’s Hill to chase a rolling wheel of Double Gloucester cheese downhill at high speeds. Participants from countries such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands traveled to join the unofficial yet internationally renowned event, famous for its chaotic tumbles and frequent injuries. Security personnel were stationed at the bottom to catch racers as they crossed the finish line.

The 2026 edition underscored the race’s increasing international appeal, with Dutch competitor Niels Wennemars and French participant Alix Heugas among the winners celebrated by the audience. Racer Josh Lowe described the descent as “like a water slide, but filled with rocks.”

Organizers estimate that thousands of visitors flock to the Gloucestershire event annually, boosting local tourism and businesses. Believed to have origins several centuries old, the event remains largely unchanged despite ongoing safety concerns due to the hill’s steep gradient and unpredictable falls.

Source link