Cheese Rolling

Perhaps not as innovative as the bar room piss video games, but every bit as unique! Cheese Rolling! No offense Sir Dayvd, but this is something that only the British could pull off with class. It appears some strapping lads run, which becomes rolling, down a very steep hill to catch a rolling cheese wheel! When I first saw it on CNN I thought I found a long lost episode of Monty Phython! The event is held on May 26. Here's the description from the official web site:

So what is Cheese Rolling?
Each year, more than 3,000 people gather on a hillside, in the English county of Gloucestershire, to watch around 100 people throw themselves down a steep slope, which is 200m long and has a 1:1 gradient in places, in hot pursuit of a 7-8lb Double Gloucester cheese, which can reach speeds up to 70mph.

Why?
To be honest, nobody really know why! It has been suggested that Cheese Rolling can be traced back to Roman Times, or it could have been a pagan healing ritual. But whatever the origins the annual Cheese Rolling, at Cooper’s Hill, has become a ‘must visit’ event, not just for the locals, but attracting visitors from across the entire world.

Races?
There are 5 downhill races - 4 races for men, with one, increasingly popular, race for women – and 4 ‘easier’ uphill races – for boys, girls, men, and women. The event lasts less than 90 minutes and, for those brave – or stupid – enough to chase the cheese it can be a dangerous race. But as an old British (well Gloucestershire tradition) it can't be beaten!

Dangerous?
The event in 2007 resulted in 20 people being treated for minor injuries – the lowest for some years (2006 figure was 34). Injuries normally include cuts, bruises, sprains and even concussion.

Get in Training?
Tactics? Well there are none. You cannot train for it – there is nothing else like it. You just throw yourself down the hill, and hope for the best, whilst you question what on earth you are doing...

And there you have it!

Sir Hook the Rolling Cheese Head of Warrick