The idea is to run after the cheese and catch it.
However in reality, the cheese can never actually be caught.
The roll of cheese always has a brief headstart and soon reaches breakneck speeds.
Participants often end up falling and tumbling head-over-heels down the slope.
Injuries, sometimes serious, are common.
Some loyal competitors organized an unofficial version and thousands of spectators showed up.
In the 2013 competition, a foam replica was used instead of an actual cheese to minimize injuries.
Once an onlooker was seriously injured when he was hit by the cheese.
The practice is believed to have roots in pagan rituals.
Sometimes a safer uphill race is organized for the children.
Each race is taken part by 20-40 participants.
The winner of each race take home a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese.
