A previous champ of the cheese-rolling event has revealed his secrets for conquering one of Britain’s quirkiest and most thrilling competitions.
Chris Anderson, who is 37 years old, has become somewhat legendary in Cooper’s Hill located in Gloucestershire. He secured a spot in the Guinness World Records due to his remarkable victories in cheese chasing events.
After stepping away from competition, he now provides guidance to contestants on ensuring their safety.
This follows an incident where a rival participant from last week’s yearly event was transported to the hospital by helicopter, and another had to be removed on a stretcher.
Footage taken at the event documented the frightening instance when a contestant adorned as a wizard swooped down the massive incline only to crash violently onto the earth below.
Anderson reflected on the race and mentioned
The Guardian
‘It certainly involves risk, there’s no question about that. You simply have to manage to remain on your feet for as long as you can and tilt backward to maintain control over yourself.’
He mentioned that it’s preferable for rivals to maintain control instead of pushing solely for speed.
The ex-military individual advised that if you stumble, the most effective technique is to perform an Army roll followed by immediately getting back up onto your feet.
The challenge encourages individuals to
chase after a 3kg Double Gloucester cheese as it rolls down the steep 200-yard incline
, although it has also led to increased safety warnings in recent years.
Many individuals congregate at Cooper’s Hill to observe an event believed to originate from a pagan celebration marking the arrival of spring.
Contestants race after the cheese as they descend an 180-meter-tall hill, often stumbling and falling along the way—only to get back up and continue chasing.
The individuals who manage to grab the cheese first, as it zooms by at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour, are crowned winners in multiple competitions throughout this longstanding event that traces its roots back to the 19th century.
Anderson thinks that the optimal time for athletes to compete is around their mid-20s, as this age combines physical fitness with some level of experience. However, having a passion for adventure is equally important.
The participant who has won the competition 23 times recommended that all those involved should check out the location prior to the event starting.
He mentioned that numerous eager participants arrive ready to join the race but decide to drop out upon seeing the hill for the first time.
As a groundskeeper for the event, Anderson knew his favorite path down the slope, steering clear of a difficult depression.
He spent his childhood in Brockworth, the location of the annual event, and has watched the race annually since he was young.
He acknowledged that during his teen years, he and his buddies would head up the hill and ‘take turns pushing each other down.’
In 2004, at only 16 years old, Anderson secured the runner-up position and pledged to come back and claim victory in the race down the line.
Without delay, he claimed victory the next year, only to break his ankle when he stumbled into a hole during his celebration.
Anderson came back to claim victory in the event an additional 22 times, earning his status as a local legend of the competition.
In 2022, following his record-breaking number of victories, he decided to retire.
The origins of when this race initially took place remain unclear, yet it is believed to trace back several centuries.
This event has become a worldwide sensation, drawing attendees and spectators from every corner of the globe.
Cheese rolling rebels have been organizing their own informal event following the cancellation of the official contest in 2010 due to concerns over health and safety.
This year’s event led to a safety advisory from the local ambulance, police, and fire departments, who cautioned that they might be inundated if a ‘major disaster’ occurred.
However, it proceeded according to plan, with Tom Kopke, a 23-year-old YouTube creator from Munich, keeping the championship he claimed the previous year.
Luke Briggs emerged victorious in one of the male competitions wearing a Superman outfit, whereas first-time participant Ava Sender Logan, aged 20 from London, claimed victory in the inaugural female contest. Interestingly, she confessed that she isn’t fond of cheese.
She mentioned not recalling much of her downhill fall, but spoke about the event saying, “It’s such a cool tradition.”
Deputy Chief Constable Arman Mathieson of Gloucestershire Police has formerly referred to the event as a ‘distinctive custom,’ stating further that the police department ‘has no intention of halting it.’
However, officials stated that they were obligated to inform the community because the local Tewkesbury Borough Safety Advisory Group deemed it unsafe, which raised worries regarding the possible burden on emergency services.
The advisory team consists of several organizations such as emergency services, collaborating to enhance security and well-being during gatherings.
Members have expressed worries regarding the potential response from officials in case of a significant event, following the difficulty ambulances faced in accessing the location in 2023.
The female champion of that year’s race lost consciousness right at the finish line and found out she had won when she woke up in a medical tent.
This custom might receive formal recognition by being included in a UK heritage registry.
The government is requesting nominations from the public for their cherished customs that most embody British culture, with plans to document these in a new Inventory of Living Heritage in the UK.
Other customs within the same region like riding the Severn Bore and participating in the Woolsack Races in Tetbury have likewise been suggested as possible additions to the roster. Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross mentioned earlier this month, “The UK boasts an abundance of remarkable traditions.”
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