picture from Mother Nature Network

Origins

This "sport's" first recorded event was in 1826, but many believe that the event has been going on for many years prior to that date. Every year on Spring Bank Holiday at Cooper's Hill, near Gloucester in England, large crowds of participants and bystanders gather for the annual Cooper's Hill Cheese Roll.

The event used to take place on Whit Monday, which is an old religious holiday, but it was later moved to Spring Bank Holiday. Most likely because the banks were closed and most people were given that day off of work, so why not go to a hill and chase cheese on your day off?

There is speculation on where the actual origins of rolling the cheese down the hill and chasing it came from, but some people think it came from Pagans rolling stuff down hills, like burning brushwood, to represent the coming of the New Year once winter ended. But the cheese? That is about as much of a mystery as Shin Kicking.

Competition Day

Everything starts with a 9 pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese that is sent rolling down the hill. It is given a one second head start before all of the "athletes" begin chasing after it. There really isn't anything in terms of prizes to be won, other than bragging rights in this sport, but the first across the line at the bottom does get the take the cheese.

from Pintrest

This sport has become increasingly popular over the years and has begun to bring in spectators and competitors from all over the world. In 2013, officials began to become worried that the cheese was going to injure one of the spectators. The 9 pound wheel of cheese was reaching speeds 70 miles per hour as it rolled down the hill, so it was replaced with a foam wheel so help reduce chances of someone being taken out by a cheese bullet.

Now this might be one of the most beautiful sports to watch in slow motion with opera music playing to it. You should definitely check out this video of this years competition.

This sport looks like it would be an amazing time to go watch. I would never compete in this though. My body has been through enough torture from football, wrestling, skating, snowboarding while I was growing up, then the military had to come along and destroy my back and every joint in my body. But I would love to sit back with my camera and get pictures of these people throwing themselves down Cooper's Hill trying to win a piece of cheese.

Thank you all for taking the time to read my post on one of England's Extreme Sports. I am trying to find some of the funniest and crazy extreme sports and write about them so everyone can have a good laugh and learn something new. If you liked what you read, give me a follow for more.