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From the top of the hill a round of Double Gloucester cheese is rolled, and competitors race down the hill after it. The first person over the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins the cheese. In theory, competitors are aiming to catch the cheese, however it has around a one second head start and can reach speeds up to 70 mph (112 km/h), enough to knock over and injure a spectator. Traditionally, the winner of each year's contest is expected to perform a shirtless victory ascent of Cooper's Hill where he or she will return the cheese to its ceremonial plinth. This is done in order to symbolize the eternal cycle of man's creation, release, pursuit and re-capture of his dairy products.
"The Cheese Rollers" pub in the nearby village of Shurdington, about 3 miles from Cooper's Hill, takes its name from the event. The nearest pubs to the event are The Cross Hands and The Victoria (both of which are in Brockworth) which competitors frequent for some pre-event Dutch courage or discussion of tactics, and after the event for some convalescence.
Cooper's Hill is a stop on the Cotswold Way.
Read more about this topic: Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling And Wake