From the top of the hill a 9 lb round of Double Gloucester cheese is rolled, and competitors race down the hill after it.[4] 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),[4] enough to knock over and injure a spectator. In the 2013 competition, a foam replica replaced the actual cheese for reasons of safety.[2] The winner was given the prize after the competition.
"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 convalescence.