Bruised and battered but happy — the bizarre and thrilling Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling Festival in England

The cheese-rolling hill, also known as Cooper’s Hill, is located in the town of Brockworth and is extremely steep — it’s almost impossible to keep your balance while chasing downhill, yet participants are more than willing to risk injury for a shot at that coveted round cheese.

%In fact, the biggest prize is just the thrill of the run, and many admire the courage of the contestants, who often end up in a heap. (Image source: http://www.cheese-rolling.co.uk/when.htm))

The officially sanctioned Cheese Rolling Festival was actually canceled in 2010 because nearly 15,000 participants and spectators far exceeded the hill’s capacity, and the high-speed descent of the huge cheese posed a risk of injuring bystanders. However, over the years, this hasn’t stopped local cheese vendors from holding their own “chase-the-cheese” races.

%It gives a deep sense of the passion people have for this unique event. (Image source: http://www.cheese-rolling.co.uk/when.htm))