Contestants Break Bones Chasing Cheese

Associated Press ^ | 5-30-2005

[kingattax]

LONDON (AP) - Contestants in a traditional British cheese rolling competition broke bones and took skin off knees and elbows Monday in their pursuit of a giant piece of cheese down a steep hill.

The competition, in which participants hurl themselves 640 feet down a hill after an eight-pound piece of cheese, has been celebrated for centuries in Gloucestershire, northwest of London.

The race is thought to originate from a heathen festival to welcome the spring. The first person to follow the cheese across the line at the bottom of the hill wins the cheese and a small cash prize.

Thousands of people attended Monday's event and the local ambulance service reported three people were taken to hospital with suspected fractured limbs, while 18 were treated for bruises and abrasions.

Teenager Chris Anderson, who won one of four cheese rolling races contested Monday, was taken to hospital on a stretcher, clutching his winning slab of cheese to his chest.

"The pain was worth it," Anderson said. "This cheese is going straight in a cupboard when I get home. It's definitely not for eating."

Organizer Richard Jefferies said Monday's event ran smoothly and injuries were down on previous years.

"It's a good part of the local heritage and a tradition we would like to keep going," Jefferies said.

[RichInOC]

I watched a clip of this year's run. It was like the "Little House On The Prairie" opening credits from hell.

[Natural Law]

I once broke a bone cutting the cheese.

[1FASTGLOCK45]

I would eat the cheese after all that bone breaking!

[RichInOC]

Yours or someone else's?

[snarks_when_bored]

But kids can't play dodge ball at school...

[writer33]

It's a cheesy story. :)

[kingattax]

It's a cheesy story.

lol...it sure is...how are ya, C ?

[writer33]

I am just fine. I might, however, break a bone for Velveeta, but I won't being chasing any Mozarella down a hill. That's for sure. :)

[kingattax]

lol

[Miss Behave]

If they all would have just CUT the cheese before they began their chase, they would have been thrust down the hill at wharp speed, and had plenty of time to get out of the way of it the Cheese Debris, thus keeping all bones intact.

Why didn't they consult me first?

[kingattax]

lol..you sound like a cheese roll "veteran"

[Miss Behave]

No, just a big flatulence fan.

[Miss Behave]

Yikes, and wharp=warp. Major G-force stuff.

[Drammach]

Has a Moose ever won the Cheese??

Has a Moose ever Cut the Cheese??

[Fruitbat]

But kids can't play dodge ball at school...

The Brits version of a heavy ball I suppose. LOL

[Lazamataz]

I once broke a bone cutting the cheese.

I once broke wind cutting the cheese.

[Lazamataz]

(See how close you were?)

(Never try this at home, people. Leave it to the professionals)

[Natural Law]

I guess you had to be there......

[Miss Behave]

I've had multiples.