WATCH: Man Goes Absolutely FLYING in Annual Cheese Roll Race

Zachary LeemanMay 27th, 2025, 3:37 pm
 

Social media was taken aback on Tuesday as many discovered for the first time about an annual competition where people risk life and limb for a wheel of cheese thrown down a steep hill.

The annual cheese rolling event takes place every year in Gloucestershire, England and attracts thousands. The competition centers on a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese being thrown down the steep Cooper’s Hill. Those competing then throw themselves down the hill and the first person to the bottom — or to catch the cheese — wins. The quirky tradition dates back to 1826.

One video showing a man being launched into the air after he loses his footing while racing towards the finish line racked up millions of views on social media with reactions a mix between judgement and admiration.

“Utter fools,” one commenter wrote.

“Even though it didn’t come off, I really appreciate that bro gave it his all there. What more could you ask of yourself going for the cheese?” another wrote.

“To be fair, was way faster, he flew by the others. Respect,” yet another replied.

CNN’s John Berman also showed footage from the cheese rolling festival where the competitors could be seen first jumping after the cheese, one man immediately losing control and spinning away from the group and rolling cheese.

“No wonder they lost the Empire,” Berman joked as he watched the footage and explained the festival.

German YouTuber Tom Kopke, 23, was the winner of the festival while a student raising money for refugees was declared the winner in the women’s category. Kopke retained the title he won last year at the festival.

“Last year the hill was muddy and this year it was dry and dangerous and people got injured,” Kopke said. “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.”

London student Ava Sender Logan, 20, was the winner for the women. She was racing to support the charity Refugee Community Kitchen.

“I can’t believe it. It felt quite long coming down and then I hit my head,” she said. “I’m down, that’s what matters. I’m fine.”

Watch above via CNN.

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Zachary Leeman

Zachary Leeman covered pop culture and politics at outlets such as Breitbart, LifeZette, BizPac Review, HollywoodinToto, and others. He is the author of the novel Nigh. He joined Mediaite in 2022.