Ready, set, roll! Daredevil winner of Gloucestershire's famous Cheese Rolling contest 'never felt better in my life' as traditional Bank Holiday race returns Follow MailOnline's live blog of the races at Brockworth, near Gloucester The traditional annual event has gone ahead despite officials raising safety fears By AIDAN RADNEDGE Published: 11:49 BST, 26 May 2025 | Updated: 12:55 BST, 26 May 2025 Hardy daredevils have been throwing themselves downhill as Gloucestershire's renowned cheese rolling contest rolled back into action. Eager participants marked this May Bank Holiday Monday by hurtling down Cooper's Hill, at Brockworth near Gloucester, as part of a longstanding national tradition - and a repeat winner of the opening contest celebrated by saying he 'never felt better'. The event challenges people to pursue a 3kg Double Gloucester cheese rolling down the steep 200 yard hill, though has also prompted safety warnings in recent years. Hundreds of people have been gathering at Cooper's Hill to watch the occasion that is thought to have its roots in a pagan festival celebrating the return of spring. Competitors chase the cheese down the 180m-high hill, with many tripping and tumbling on their way - only to pick themselves up and resume the pursuit. The first runners to catch the cheese, which can reach speeds of up to 70mph, are declared victors in various races across the event that dates back to the 1800s - and has now seen its opening contest won by a German man for the second year running. But competing is not without its risks - in 1993, 15 people were injured in the racing, four of them seriously hurt, and officials have ramped up warnings in recent years. In 2009 and 2011 the race was cancelled over safety concerns, though despite this the event has continued unofficially - yet with safety warnings posted nearby today. Crowds have gathered for the annual Cheese Rolling races at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth Hordes have been tumbling down Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire today chasing cheese Safety warnings were put up ahead of the traditional annual Cheese Rolling contest And the 2020 and 2021 versions were called off as a result of Covid-19 pandemic lockdown restrictions, before a return on June 5 2022. Two late cheese rolling champions are being remembered at this year's event with races held in their memory. The first men's race was declared to be held in memory of Izzy John, who died in 2015, with the second nodding to Steve Brain, who died in 2018 - after the two men, described as 'fearless', won more than 30 cheeses between them. Today's event comes just weeks after it was revealed the tradition could be given an official honour by being added to a UK heritage list. The Government is asking the public to nominate their favourite traditions that best reflect Britain, to be recorded in a new Inventory of Living Heritage in the UK. Nominations will be divided into seven categories, including performing arts, sports and games - and crafts and social practices such as festivals and customs will feature, alongside oral expressions like poetry and storytelling. Other traditions in the same county such as surfing the Severn Bore and Woolsack Races in Tetbury have also been touted as potential contenders for the list, with heritage minister Baroness Twycross saying last month: 'The UK is rich with wonderful traditions.' Last year's Cheese Rolling men's race at Cooper's Hill was won by Tom Kopke from Germany, who told afterwards how he was 'buzzing' - and vowed to return in 2025 to defend his title, which he has now successfully done. The traditional event in Gloucestershire got under way on this May Bank Holiday Monday This year's competitors have been seen tumbling the 180m-tall hill in pursuit of the 3kg cheese There was carnage on the course as racers hurtled after the 3kg Double Gloucester Tom Kopke (front), from Munich in Germany, cruised to victory in the opening men's race Mr Kopke claimed the title for the second year running, 12 months after his first victory there Those left trailing in his wake were seen toppling to the turf as they made their way downhill As cheese rollers win international recognition, TANYA GOLD reveals what makes us truly British Mr Kopke, from Munich, who runs his own YouTube channel, was victorious in the opening men's race today, 12 months on from first taking the title. After taking an early lead and seeing the win through, he told the BBC: 'I've never felt better in my life. 'This year I just gave it everything I had - I just dashed forward and tried to get the win, and then I just blacked out.' Mr Kopke, 23, added: 'It was crazy. This year was different. 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.' Long-time cheese-maker Rod Smart, who has produced cheese for the chase for more than 25 years, once again provided the wheels for this year's event. Four cheeses weighing about 3kg each and three smaller ones, weighing about 1.5kg, are used. Local roads have been closed up to two-and-a-half miles around the slope. Assistant Chief Constable Arman Mathieson from Gloucestershire Police has previously described the event as a 'unique tradition', adding that the force had 'no desire to stop it'. But officers said they had a duty to tell the public the local Tewkesbury Borough Safety Advisory Group had declared it unsafe, raising concerns about the potential strain on emergency services. The advisory group is made up of multiple agencies, including emergency services, who work to promote safety and welfare at events. Members have told of concerns about how officials could respond if there were a major incident, after ambulances struggled to access the site in 2023. The winner of that year's women's race was knocked unconscious at the finish line and only discovered had won after waking up in a medical tent. The event attracts competitors from around the world - as well as capturing transatlantic coverage. One notable report in 2006 in the American National Library of Medicine was headlined: 'Dozens injured as cheese roll goes crackers.' The article went on to say how 25 people were injured 'at an annual cheese rolling competition in which daredevils chase giant cheese wheels down a steep slope in western England'. Today's event comes just weeks after it was revealed the Cheese Rolling race tradition could be given an official honour by being added to a UK heritage list Tom Kopke, from Munich in Germany, has today won the opening men's race for the second year running - he is pictured here celebrating his previous success at the 2024 event The magazine said: 'Dozens took part in the bizarre event at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, before a crowd of about 3,000 cheering spectators. 'They raced for 200m down the slope after wheel-shaped Double Gloucester cheeses, decorated in a blue and red ribbon. 'Many slipped, somersaulted, and tumbled their way to the bottom during five bone-crunching races over two hours. 'Of the 25 people hurt, 12 were spectators, one of whom was hit by one of the hard, 4kg, dinner plate sized cheeses used in each race, but only two people were taken to hospital for further assessment.' The history of Cooper Hill's Cheese-Rolling event The ceremony originally took place on Whit Monday, but was later moved to the Spring bank holiday. The first evidence of cheese rolling is found in a message written by the town crier in 1826. But even then, the writing suggested it was an old tradition, believed to be about 600-years-old. Two possible origins have been proposed for the event. Some believe it may have evolved from a requirement for maintaining grazing rights on the common, while others believe it has pagan origins from the custom of rolling objects down a hill. It is understood that bundles of burning brushwood were rolled down the hill to represent the birth of the New Year after winter. It is also believed to have links to a traditional fertility rite where buns, biscuits and sweets are scattered from the top of the hill by the Master of Ceremonies (the official host). This in turn encourages the fruits of the harvest. YouTubeGermany Share or comment on this article: Ready, set, roll! Daredevil winner of Gloucestershire's famous Cheese Rolling contest 'never felt better in my life' as traditional Bank Holiday race returns Add comment