2023 Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling Race Recap

Back in April of 2022, we shared an article about Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling Race, and we've been following the competition closely ever since. The 2023 competition occurred on May 29th, and it was intense.

Held at Cooper's Hill, near Gloucester in England, the contest consists of participants chasing a nine-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down an extremely steep and uneven hill. The winner gets to take home the wheel of cheese.

While the cheese can never actually be caught, with a brief head start, it can reach speeds up to 70 miles per hour. The winner is the first person to cross the finish line behind the 7-pound wheel of cheese. Each year, the event results in various injuries, including broken ankles, sprained wrists, and concussions. This year, hundreds of participants flooded Cooper's Hill to take part in this treacherous activity. Multiple races are held during the event, with separate events for men and women.

Winner of the women's downhill race, Delaney Irving of Canada, fell and was knocked unconscious during the chase. She reportedly did not realize that she'd won until she was told after waking up in the medical tent.

It is impossible for participants to stay upright while chasing the wheel of cheese down Cooper's Hill due to the dramatic angle of descent paired with the uneven terrain, resulting in a myriad of injuries. This year was no different—injuries such as lacerations, concussions, twisted ankles, and loss of consciousness were reported. But hey, it's all worth it for a delicious wheel of Gloucester cheese!