Cheese Rolling

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Cheese Rolling 2007

Hundreds gathered as brave souls from near and far threw themselves down Coopers Hill in an annual attempt to catch the cheese!

Despite the drizzle, crowds couldn't keep away from the 2007 Cheese Rolling at Coopers Hill.

The annual event which can claim a Saxon pedigree, sees competitors hurl themselves down a very steep incline (one in two in places), following a massive Double Gloucester cheese which rolls at an estimated 70 miles per hour!

To view images from Cheese Rolling 2007, click on the following link:

In Pics: Cheese Rolling >

Please send your photographs of the day to gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk

There are five downhill races, and these started at 12.00pm and ran through until 1.20pm. (The fifth race was added last year, as the original four were not enough for increased competitor numbers). In addition to the downhill races, uphill races also took place for girls, boys, men and women.

At the end of the fifth race, organisers allowed spectators to run and roll down the hill in small groups. What originally was to be a couple of these 'experiences', turned into race, after race after race, as many of the crowd plucked up the courage to try it out for themselves!

"It's just a great traditional thing that can never be stopped. You just have to have the courage to fly for it!"
Jason Crowther

1997 was a record year for injuries and led to the cancellation of the cheese rolling in 1998, however, this year there were no serious injuries, with medics treating around 42 minor bumps. One man at the bottom of the hill had crowds worried when he didn't get up following the race, however after a little medical examination, he was soon on his feet again, much to the crowd's delight.

Bob Blumer had come all the way from Canada to join in as part of a reality show that was being filmed, he didn't win his race, but was happy to have taken part in the event. Meanwhile, Japanese comedian Daisuke Miyagawa came second in the fourth race of the afternoon.

Winner of the first race, for the third year running, was Jason Crowther from Pembrokeshire. Speaking to BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Camilla Bassett-Smith, he said that his secret to winning is to have the courage to fly for the cheese. He also spoke of the event as a great gathering of people and something that is such a great tradition, that it should never be stopped.

To see video footage of a selection of races, click on the following links:

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Downhill Race Results:

Race 1. Winner - Jason Crowther from Pembrokeshire

Race 2. Winner - Aaron Walsh from Brockworth

Race 3. Winner - Jemima Bullock from New Zealand

Race 4. Winner - Alan Morris from Cheltenham

Race 5. Winner - Chris Anderson from Brockworth

To listen to BBC Gloucestershire Reporter Camilla Bassett-Smith reporting live from the Cheese Rolling including interviews with competitors and spectators, click on the following links:

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BBC Gloucestershire also took the opportunity to conduct its very own cheese survey while on site! Of those spectators questioned, 45% preferred Cheddar, 25% went for the Christmas favourite Stilton, 15% were loyal to the county and chose Double Gloucester, while 10% picked another red cheese in Red Leicester, and only 5% picked Cheshire as their favourite cheese.

So plenty of cheese, plenty of mud and enough memories to last us all until Cheese Rolling 2008!

Messages left by filling in the box below

paul parkinson
I was nursing in Gloucester from Coffs Harbour NSW Australia in 2006 and was totally blown away to discover that the Cheese roll was done in the local area (had seen TV shorts back home in Australia) took part in this crazy event and had a ball,good on you Poms for maintaining the tradition, long live the Roll!!

Amy
I WANT TO GO

mic
I WANT A GO !

cLiDe
hahai like cheezeww

Yoshi
The Japanese comedian's name is actually Daisuke Miyagawa. Daisuki means love in Japanese, so most Japanese people find it a very funny mistake.

havachat
go bigz in the 5th showing the gymea gorillas new south wales sydney jersey wearing it proud

Miguel González Tello (Spain)
My friend and me ran the sixth going down (without cheese). We came England only to run this. I´ll be very glad, if there´s the possibility of see my run. Thank you, very, very much.

alfie
in went cheese rolling and gotthe cheese on the fourth run.it stank like ya ma's face

last updated: 15/04/2009 at 13:39
created: 28/05/2007

Have Your Say

Did you go to Cheese Rolling 2007? Would you like to go? What do you think of the event? We'd love to hear your comments!

James Parry
I came 3rd in 2005

jasmine
hiyya i love the down hill races and i want a go but i am 2 young but i do the girls up hill races and come 1st

James Parry
Aaron waldans gunnu win hes my cousin

Olesya
It is a spectacular to watch but hazardous to take part in, with many competitors ending up with broken arms and legs.

Keithy Bezzin
Whens the next one???

cheese punchers united
cheese. we're gunna run off with your precious cheese and punch it. then we will go to the pub and "touch" the cheese.

Lynda Gratton
It looks good harmless fun surely its what we all need in this time of recession and gloom

Emily
Whens The 2008 One!!And Whats The Ages For It!!If I Can Enter...I SO AM!!Im Just The Type Of Stupid Person To Chase Cheese Down A Hill With! :)

chloe
I have never been and never really want to I think it's stupid!!! Plus we don't do that were I live...in America

Luke i
Cheese rolling looks good!!!!!!

Tom
It looks stupid!!!!!!!!!!!!So how do i enter?

Charlie Cheshire
I think this is amazing!The Cheese people in Roquefort have a similar event.This is an event you just have to see, it’s unbelievable and entry is free, dozens and dozens of cheeses rolling down Roquefort hill,They’re not in it for the prize money, they’re not doing it because it’s funny, they’re simply doing it for the excitement and thrill.And as they’re speeding down the slope, not sure if they can cope,they’re hurting, very sore and in great pain.and once started it’s difficult to stop, some go under, others over the top,rolling, rolling, rolling, over again,Many of the cheeses are bruised, their bodies feeling abused, some not sure if they’ll ever feel alright again,sliding through the dirt, every part of them seems to hurt, some thinking, ‘why am I doing this, I must be insane’.To stop going black and blue, there are some things they do, they wear protection on their elbows and knees,many roll up into a ball, keeping ever so small, and most importantly, they try to avoid the trees!There’s no prize money, no cash, nothing very flash, there’s just the knowledge that you took part in the race,It’s not about the speed, there’s a far more important need, and that’s to get down safely at a quick pace.Any problems and an ambulance is on call, in case of any break or fall, and medics are on standby at the side of the course,and if the ambulance is unable to pass, because of mud or slippery grass, you’ll be rescued by a special ambulance horse. So if you decide to roll down the hill, remember it's for the fun and thrill, and getting involved, that's the most important part,if you're in it just to win, then it’s probably better not to begin, because this is an activity, that you do from the heart.

Ian
I went, i watched , i loved it

Kevin
wonderful really gr8

JoshuaMurphy
Yeahhh!

woodfat
really interesting!special experience!I admire the incredible courage a lot.

Tony Walden
2nd Race winner - Aaron Walden!! (my cousin)Not Aaron Walsh???

mike h
cheese chasers? sounds crackers to me.

charlie n ash
ur all mad

Emily
im goin nxt year woop woop!!

Ollie
Wow that looks like it could maybe a fun filled experiance.

jesse
omg cheese

alan morris
excellent day out very happy winner hope to win again if anyone has good video of my race could they contact me on Billybilo1@aol.com thanks

jemima, tasha, craig
loozers

Terrie
When is the next one? Would love to come and watch but no idea when or where this is

bethany
i think its mad!!

F. Smith
I did not go, but by looking at the pictures, it looks brilliant! I would like to take part. However, I do not know how to get involved.

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