A cheese rolling race sends a pale wheel ahead of three downhill runners. The nearest man spreads his arms as he turns across the slope, while two companions follow at different distances in rust and teal tops. Mud on their bare knees and shoes gives the fast movement a rough, tangible setting.

The autumn hillside opens into a long view of wooded valleys and distant fields. Spectators stand behind a thin rope along the upper edge, leaving the sloping grass clear below. Sun breaks through layered gray clouds, catching the wheel and the mustard shirt while the lower corner remains dark with thick grass.