Cheese rolling Master of Ceremonies Jem Wakeman says he expects there will be some "very muddy people" today.

Tom from Germany won the first race of the day, sliding down the slope ahead of the other contestants.

"England is mad," he said when interviewed at the finish line.

Hit the play button at the top of this page to watch the live footage from Cooper's Hill.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Getty Images

Cooper's Hill has an average gradient of over 45 degrees over its 200-yard (180 m) long length.

That means for every foot a competitor travels, the slope also drops a foot.

There is no geological reason for its steepness, it is not man made - it is a completely natural hill.

It is steeper than the steepest street in England - understood to be Vale Street in Bristol - which has an almost 22-degree gradient.

And this is why the cheese reaches such high speeds - it tends to travel at up to 70 to 80 mph

Competitors at today's event are likely to get wet as well as bruised, as the weather forecast shows showers are imminent.

Conditions at Cooper's Hill are already pretty slick due to heavy rain over the past few days.

Todays events are now available to watch on our live stream.

Hit the play button at the top of this page.

Lewis from Fleet in Hampshire, is bracing himself for his first-ever cheese rolling race.

"I've been on a walk here. I went to scope it out, but seeing it properly again is daunting," he told BBC Radio Gloucestershire reporter Georgia Stone.

"I'm pretty certain I'm going to do it - I've told too many people about it, so I have no choice now!"

At the very top of Cooper’s Hill, the cheese rolling master of ceremonies Jem Wakeman is the man who will release the ceremonial cheese down the hill, starting the mayhem

The first runner to get to the bottom of the hill wins the prize.

Over the years the hill has seen it all, with people competing in all kinds of outfits from sports gear to mankinis.

Image source, Getty Images

The emergency services have said they will not attend this year's event, but will respond to emergency calls if needed.

In a statement, Tewkesbury Advisory Group, which advises on safety for events, has asked for the organisers to work with them to create a safety plan for future races.

They said of last year's event: "A number of people suffered medical episodes and injuries, including broken ankles, concussion, broken leg, breathing difficulties and a suspected seizure.

"Six people were taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital by land ambulances.

"Double-crewed ambulances and rapid response vehicles needed a police escort to gain access to the site, in order to clear a path through the crowds.

"This put a strain on the resources of both Gloucestershire Constabulary and South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust for a considerable time."

Spectators started gathering at Cooper's Hill first thing this morning to bag themselves a good spot to watch the races.

Here is the itinerary for today:

12:00 1st men's downhill race

12.15: Under-11s uphill race

12.30 2nd men's downhill race

13:00: Women's downhill race

13:15: Adults mixed uphill race (18+)

13:30: 3rd Men's downhill race

Image source, Getty Images

Cheese rolling in Gloucestershire is believed to have originated centuries ago.

The first written evidence of cheese rolling was found in a message to the Gloucester Town Crier in 1826, though it is clear the event was already an old tradition even then.

One theory suggests it may have originated as a pagan ritual to celebrate the arrival of spring and to ensure a great harvest.

Another suggests it may have been a way for local farmers to assert grazing rights on the hill.

As popular as the event is, not everyone is pleased to see it carrying on.

The land itself is owned by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, which says the races take place without its permission. The area is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).

The trust says areas for nesting birds and plants are destroyed every year to make way for spectators, and that it reports the damage caused to the police and Natural England.

"Unfortunately, because there are many public rights of way onto the site, there is little we can do to stop this kind of destruction," the trust said.

"I'm sure you can imagine that this situation is incredibly disheartening for our land management team, who spend so much of the year trying to make our reserves as good for wildlife as possible, to stop species decline and tackle the nature crisis."

Chris Anderson, who has won the cheese rolling race an incredible 23 times, shares his secrets to getting to the bottom first.

Image source, Getty Images

For many, it is not a case of running down Cooper's Hill, but falling.

A line of volunteers wait at the bottom to help stop the people brave enough to take part.

The ambulance service for the county does not have a presence at the site, but says it will respond to 999 calls in case of an emergency.

Last year's event went ahead despite safety concerns from the authorities.

But the cheese rolling has no official organising body, and happens every year despite fears people may suffer serious injuries.

Image source, Getty Images

Welcome to the live page for the annual Gloucestershire cheese rolling race at Cooper's Hill.

The incredibly steep slope of Cooper's Hill near Gloucester is the venue for one of the most eccentric of local traditions - chasing a large cheese down a hill that is almost impossible to run down due to its gradient.

Thousands of people are expected gather to watch contestants hurl themselves down the 200-yard (180m) hill.

The emergency services have advised people to be aware of the risks of taking part, and with good reason.

Every year dozens of people injure themselves during the event, some needing hospital treatment.