It's The Cheese. . . . . . Rollers!

Why would grown men roll down a steep hill and risk all kinds of injuries? - For the 8-pound wheel of cheese of course! Welcome to the wacky cheese-rolling contest held every Memorial Day weekend in Gloucestershire, England.

The race, which dates back to the 1800's, involves men and women tumbling down 200 meters of a really steep hill trying to catch a cheese wheel. The person who catches it first, wins the race.......and the cheese! The hill is so steep that special 'catchers' stand at the bottom to help stop competitors from rolling out of control. Over the years, the race has become so popular, that there are now five races, including one for women, each with about 20 competitors. Children get to compete by walking uphill, which is as difficult, but not as dangerous.

Injuries of all sorts are so common that 25 members of St. John's Ambulance stand by to ferry the injured away. This year 65 people, including 35 competitors, 11 catchers and 19 spectators had to be treated or sent to the hospital with injuries ranging from minor bruises to dislocated shoulders. One poor spectator got hurt after he fell off a tree, he had climbed, in an attempt to get a better view.

Veteran cheese roller, Christian Anderson from Brockworth, who has won three races in the last four years won not one, but two of the men's races! In the women's category the giant cheese wheel went to first- time cheese roller, 25-year old Michelle Kokiri from New Zealand.

Over 5,000 spectators showed up to cheer the contestants from the sidelines - undeterred by the gloomy cold weather and the delays caused by all the injuries. In case you missed this year's competition, don't fret as the countdown to next year's competition has already begun at www.cheese-rolling.co.uk

Sources: gloucestershire.co.uk, bbcnews.co.uk soglos.com