There is something distinctly macho about running for your life in front of a herd of raging bulls.  Other words might be mad and insane, or depending of course on what side of the fence you sit, brave and courageous.  The San Fermin festival tells you a lot about the Spanish machismo: Ladies dance flamenco, Men run with the bulls.

On the 6th July the San Fermin celebrations begin and on the 7th the first encierro takes place in the streets of Pamplona.  Every morning at 8:00 the runners assemble for the exhilarating chase from pen to bull-ring.  Competitors are decked out in white, with a red pañuelo handkerchief tied about their necks, and a red faja (sash) tied round their waists. The course follows from the Town Hall and finishes at Pamplona’s Plaza de Toros, where the bulls are herded into pens, Corralillos, to participate in the afternoon’s Corrida.

Historically the running of the bulls began in the 1800’s as part of the process of moving bulls from the edge of town to the bull ring.  From the mid 1850s runners joined in as part of the celebration in honour of San Fermin the patron Saint of Pamplona.  True devotees gather at the bottom of Santo Domingo and sing in homage: A San Fermín pedimos, por ser nuestro patrón, nos guíe en el encierro dándonos su bendición” (”We ask San Fermín, as our Patron, to guide us through the Bull Run and give us his blessing”).

Compared to bull fighting you have to feel at least the bulls have a chance.  Since 1924 there have been 15 fatalities and over 200 serious injuries.  Regularly it is the inexperienced tourist who falls victim, not the experienced local Navarrese. Be in no doubt, this is carnal.  Man against animal.  Wooden fencing is erected along the 830 metre run.  There is a double fencing put up and all spectators have to stand behind this, giving runners refuge to jump into if things get a little hairy.  If you are looking to spectate, the longest stretch of fencing is by the Town Hall Square, at the end of Mercaderes Street and along Estafeta street in the lead up to the bull ring.

With two rockets, it is announced the bulls are on their way!  The first to say that the bulls have been released and the second to say the last one is out.  When a third rocket goes off this means that all the bulls have arrived in the ring and the fourth one indicates that they are safely in their pens.  All in the space of a few minutes – the spectacle is electric!

If you are planning on running remember this: Bulls are 600 kilos in weight, and no human being has been known to out run them over the 830 metre course, athletes included.  Given that there are hundreds of people participating you are highly likely to trip up and be trodden on by bulls and human feet alike.  Everyone else is going to be worrying about getting a horn up their arse, not you, so it’s an everyman for himself mentality.  We suggest, do your ten second sprint in front of the bulls then head for safety over the barricades.  Otherwise you may find out the true meaning of ‘un cuerno en la cara’.  Enjoy and best of luck!

Fact Sheet:

When: 7 to 14 July
Where: Pamplona
Things to take: White short and trousers, red sash and hankerchief

If you are interested in visiting Pamplona and combining your trip with a Spanish language course call James on 902 02 47 49.  You can take advantage of Special Offers at the Pamplona Learning Spanish Institute for Answer English readers.  Give him a call or e-mail him: james@answerenglish.com

Come to Bar Andalucia for a one night only Spanish celebration of San Fermin and Running the Bulls.  Answer English gives you the opportunity to take a FREE Spanish class, practise your Spanish with native speakers, learn about Pamplona & the Navarran region as a fantastic place to visit and learn Spanish, taste wines and delicacies, sample Salsa and party till late!

If you are interested in coming we have a limit of 150 spaces, so reserve your place with James: info@answerenglish.com

PDF: Pamplona Night 12 July Bar Andalucia