Your 2025 guide to Gloucestershire cheese rolling
With the famous Gloucestershire cheese rolling event to return very soon, many people will be planning on watching or participating.
Classed as an extreme sport and dubbed one of the UK's toughest downhill races, the competition involves chasing a 7lb (3kg) Double Gloucester cheese wheel down the steep Coopers Hill in Brockworth. The winner gets to keep the cheese.
Although the origins of the tradition are unknown, theories suggest it may have started at least 600 years ago as a pagan festival to mark the start of summer.
Spectators and participants from around the world will descend on Coopers Hill on 26 May to watch all the action unfold.
What exactly is cheese rolling?
The long standing tradition includes competitors throwing themselves down Coopers Hill, which has a 1:2 gradient, after a wheel of Double Gloucester.
The cheese can reach speeds of up to 70mph, with the first runner to catch it or cross the line at the bottom being crowned the winner.
The unusual event has been celebrated for centuries and is thought to have its roots in a heathen festival to mark the return of spring.
The winner of each race gets to keep the Double Gloucester cheese wheel.
What are the timings?
The races begin at 12:00 BST, starting with the first men's downhill competition.
Races are then scheduled to take place every 15 minutes, with the under-11s uphill going second, the second men's downhill going third and the over-12s uphill going fourth.
The fifth race, the women's downhill, is set for 13:00, with the adult mixed uphill following at 13:15.
The last race, the third men's downhill, is expected to take place at 13:30.
Who can take part?
Participants in the downhill races must be over the age of 18.
The races are free to enter and no registration is required. Instead, competitors just turn up at the top of the hill on the day.
Standing at 180m (590ft) high, Coopers Hill is the steepest slope in Gloucestershire.
There are loose rocks, twigs and stinging nettles along the way down.
Very few contestants manage to stay on their feet while chasing after the cheese and end up falling. There is potential for injury, so competitors are warned they participate at their own risk.
How can I watch?
Even if you are not attending the event, you can follow along at home.
You can watch the event live on BBC iPlayer or we will bring you all of the highlights on BBC Points West, BBC Radio Gloucestershire, our social media and right here on the website.
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