For seekers of the ultimate adrenaline rush (or to put it bluntly, for those who wish to harm themselves), they should head to Pamplona, Spain, during the first and second week of July to participate in what has been known the world over as the Running of the Bulls.
As the name suggests, bulls are let loose out of their corals and herded into their proper destinations in the bull ring, except that their journey will be accompanied by daredevil (or suicidal, if you look at it another way) runners clad in white shirt and red scarves. The runners will outrun the bulls and attempt to get out the way should the bulls choose to run amok and gore any red-wearing animal in its path.
For many young males, this very idea is a turn-on, a reality TV opportunity where one gets to play Man vs. Animal and experience the fight-or-flight rush of a very real threat of not winning the battle.
The Running of the Bulls 2013 will take place starting July 6 and end on July 14, in the city of Pamplona in the region of Navarra, Spain.
Encierro: The Running of the Bulls
The “encierro” is the highlight of a bigger festival known locally as the Sanfermines or a festival in honor of Navarra’s patron saint, San Fermin. Though there are other activities in this week-long event, the Running of the Bulls is easily the most popular.
To open the Sanfermines, people gather at the Plaza de Ayuntamiento on July 6. At noon, rockets are fired in an opening ceremony called the “chupinazo” to start the weeklong event. Red scarves are put on after the firecrackers have gone off to indicate that people should stop working and start partying.
Thereafter, from July 7 to July 14, runners assemble before 7:30 AM between the City Hall Square and the Education Building in the Cuesta of Santo Domingo. Then, before the clock of San Cernin strikes 8AM, the runners scream a chant to the patron saint three times: at five minutes to go before 8AM; at three minutes; and finally, at one minute before the gate of the corral is opened at exactly 8AM. To signify the start of the bull run, a rocket (or firecracker) is fired.
Then the bulls – six fighting bulls accompanied by six oxen – run the 825 meters from the corral outside of the city, in Calle Santo Domingo, and into the bullring inside the city where they will take part in the bullfighting event later in the evening.
The Running of the Bulls usually takes four minutes to cover the distance, but sometimes takes longer than 10 when a bull strays from the herd (or stampedes over a moron who incited the bull with his red scarf).
All Quiet and Safe on the Corral Front
The bull run has ended when all of the six bulls have been safely led into the corral inside the bullring. Rockets are fired from the bullring to signify that the transfer of the bulls has been completed. The final rocket (fourth of the sequence) is fired when all the bulls are safely tucked into the corral and readied for the evening bullfight.
Origins of the “Encierro”
The “encierro” started out of the need to transfer the bulls from their pens outside of the city (where they were brought in by cattle farmers) into the bullring inside the city for a bullfighting event. As to when people started running before the bulls as the transfer occurs is still unclear to this day.
WARNING for the Non-Participants
Not everyone can have the bragging rights of having participated in the bull run. Unless you are (young) male, fit as a fiddle, quick as a squirrel, and cold-blooded as a reptile, you should not risk your life or limb. If the sight of flaring nostrils and sharp-horned four-hoofed juggernaut easily excites you (or worse, terrifies you), you are better off in the sidelines.
Given the real dangers of the bull run, only the fittest and bravest of men, known as “mozos,” are allowed to take part. The rest can view the spectacle from a safe distance, preferably:
- Behind the second fence that marks the route. Get there early as reservation of standing space is second to impossible.
- In Calle Santo Domingo, the spot where the race starts.
- From an elevated place. Another reason why you should book your accommodation early when heading to Pamplona for the bull run is so you can choose an elevated spot from where to safely view the drama and adrenaline rush that unfolds. Be sure to book an apartment or hotel room with a balcony view that overlooks the route.
