Dairy-loving daredevils from around the world have descended on Gloucestershire and thrown themselves down Cooper’s Hill in the annual cheese-rolling race.
Competitors ran, slid and tumbled down the near-vertical incline in an effort to try and win an 8lb wheel of Double Gloucester – a semi-hard cheese renowned for its strong and savoury flavour.
They were cheered on by thousands of spectators during the notoriously dangerous race – made tougher this year with a harder racetrack due to the recent dry weather.
People have been staging their own unofficial event after health and safety fears caused the official competition to be cancelled in 2010.
Since then, it has been held unofficially with the police keeping a watchful eye on the event.
Several races took place this year, with German YouTuber Tom Kopke winning the first men’s downhill race.
“It was crazy. This year was different,” said the 23-year-old from Munich after retaining the title he won last year.
“Last year the hill was muddy and this year it was dry and dangerous and people got injured.
“I shut off my brain and went for it.
“All the people at the top said they were going to steal my title but this is mine.
“I worked for this. I risked my life for this. It’s my cheese. Back to back.”
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The women’s race was won by Ava Sender Logan, 20, who was racing for the Refugee Community Kitchen, which supports displaced people in northern France and homeless people in London and Edinburgh.
The second men’s race was won by Luke Preece, from Gloucester, who flew down the hill race dressed in a Superman costume – and the final men’s downhill race was won by Byron Smith, 33, from New Zealand.
The cheese is chased 200 yards down the 1:2 gradient hill in Brockworth.
Competitors travelled from across the world to take part in the series of madcap races.
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The unusual event is a centuries-old tradition and is thought to have its roots in a heathen festival to celebrate the return of spring.
