The Big Cheese
Local Chiropractor
Tackles England’s Most Dangerous Race
Sasha Bush
The Ashland Beacon
In a spectacle that marries danger with delight, Cooper’s Hill, England, once again hosted the annual Cheese-Rolling and Wake, a tradition as old as it is exhilarating. This year, local Ashland chiropractor, Dwain Porter, traveled from the U.S. to test his mettle in one of the world’s most perilous, and strange, sporting events.
The event, which sees a 7-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese hurtling down a steep, 180-meter hill at speeds reaching up to 70 miles per hour, is notorious for its brutal challenges. Participants, many of whom are drawn to extreme sports, sprint down the incline in a high-stakes race to be the first to reach the bottom and claim the cheese.
Porter made headlines for his daring participation and described the event as “super-crazy and unbelievable.” Despite the lack of prize money or fame, competitors like Porter are motivated by the pure thrill of the challenge and personal satisfaction. “It’s just self-honor and self-respect to overcome a death-defying feat,” Porter remarked.
The risks are considerable. Cheese rolling has earned a reputation for being incredibly dangerous, with an average of 33 injuries per 100 contestants. In fact, the motto for this event is, “compete at your own risk.” Porter himself sustained several injuries, including cuts, bruises, a shoulder ligament strain, and a hematoma from a blow to the head. “I think I blacked out for a few seconds because I don’t remember a portion of the race,” he admitted.
Historically, cheese rolling is believed to date back to pre-Roman times, though the earliest documented event was in 1826. The tradition continues despite the inherent hazards, with thousands of spectators and hundreds of participants flocking to Cooper’s Hill each year.
Porter’s journey to the top of the hill was a grueling endeavor. “Getting to the top is an extreme challenge in itself,” he explained. “You have to crawl up the hill by grabbing tree roots and wet tufts of grass just to avoid falling backward.” Once at the top, competitors face a chaotic scene, with little official oversight and a lot of pushing and shoving.
The race is as straightforward as it is wild. Participants line up, and when the cheese is rolled, they chase it down the hill in a frenzy. The first to cross the finish line is crowned the winner and awarded the cheese, though catching the rolling wheel itself is considered impossible.
For many, the allure of cheese rolling lies in the adrenaline rush and the camaraderie of fellow competitors. Porter explained, “You know, it’s one thing to watch the videos on Youtube and think ‘ok that doesn’t look so bad.’ But it’s quite intimidating once you are able to see the hill in person. So, for most people including myself; participating in a cheese rolling event is all about the adrenaline rush. You aren’t competing for money or fame. The winner literally gets a roll of cheese and bragging rights.”
Despite the injuries and chaos, Porter’s experience was marked by a sense of achievement. Porter joked as he shared that he was simply happy to have not finished in the bottom 10 finishers. And while he has no plans of competing in any future cheese rolling events, he is certain that the memories from this experience will stay with him for a lifetime. After all, it's not every day one gets the opportunity to travel to England and literally chase a roll of cheese down a steep hill.
As long as Cooper’s Hill remains steep and the cheese continues to roll, thrill-seekers will keep chasing the impossible, embracing the pain and triumph of one of the world’s most unconventional sports.
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