A photo from open sources
These are a little strange and, without exaggeration, quite dangerous Competitions in England are called cheese races for a reason. They consist in the fact that a head is launched from a steep hill cheese, and after it the contestants rush. The goal is to catch cheese and become winners, that is, the fastest and most agile. Well strong too, not to mention courage.
The fact is that the mountain on Cooper Hill in Gloucestershire, where traditionally held this annual cheese festival every last Monday of May, quite steep and has a length about 200 meters. The head of cheese at the same time accelerates sometimes to speeds of 110 kilometers an hour. Here, as they say, do not run after her and do not even jump, but you need to fly.
A photo from open sources
And cheese racers are doing just that – literally roll for cheese at almost the same speed. Of course, without injuries are not enough, but because on this gathering certainly both rescuers and several ambulances are participating.
It is believed that a tradition such as cheese races exists in Gloucester from the 15th century, or even earlier, although initially from the hill apparently they didn’t let cheese, but a mop of burning brushwood, accompanying it running with chants – and it was a pagan rite of winter wire.
A photo from open sources
And then the gloucester cheese heads started to be launched from the mountain, and the festival became so popular that thousands of visitors come to it, not only from Great Britain itself, but also from other countries. But cheese “shells” weighing about 20 kilograms and at such a speed – it is really very dangerous. And at one time the power of the city of Gloucester even banned Coopershild cheese races. However, despite the ban, they still continued, which forced to reconsider attitude to this festival.
A photo from open sources
Today it is held again annually, however, cheese heads replaced by lighter plastic weighing no more than 5 kilograms. But the excitement remained the same, so reckless participants in this The competition is simply amazing. So talk here about the restrained nature residents of Misty Albion. You just watch the video – and you have any doubts about a sufficiently high emotionality will disappear the British, their risk appetite and ravings.
This year, the 21-year-old won the cheese races. Briton Mark Keith. As he admitted to reporters, become a winner he dreamed of this colorful and a little crazy festival since 13 years. And his dream finally came true in 2019!
