A Brief History of the Running of the Bulls
By Randy James Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1908948,00.html#ixzz268Chw5st
As they have each July for centuries, the narrow, cobblestone streets of Pamplona, Spain, are thundering with
the sound of charging bulls. The weeklong annual celebration originated as a religious festival to honor St.
Fermin, the patron saint of this small city in Spain's northern Basque region. Today the festival attracts
hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world, many of whom are drawn to its world-famous
encierro, or running of the bulls, which begins July 7 and was made famous outside Spain by Ernest
Hemingway's 1926 classic The Sun Also Rises.
The running of the bulls began as a way to move bulls from Pamplona's corral to its bullfighting ring. The
animals would run the roughly half-mile stretch as children and adults herded them with shouts and sticks. The
practice may date back as far as the 13th century, but it is known to have continued virtually uninterrupted since
1592, when the festival was moved from September to July. People are thought to have joined the herd
sometime in the 1800s.
Nowadays, thousands of participants from around the world dash through Pamplona's streets trailed by charging
bulls. Thousands more watch from safe nooks and balconies along the route, and spectators can also follow the
events on national TV. Every morning from July 7 to 14, hordes of daredevils gather in a historic section of the
city, many dressed in traditional garb and carrying rolled-up newspapers to swat the bulls if necessary. They
sing a traditional homage to St. Fermin, asking him to guide them through the run. After two small rockets are
fired, six bulls are released (along with a herd of steers), and the chase is on. The event generally takes just a
few minutes.
As one might imagine, running with an angry, half-ton bull on your heels is not a particularly safe pastime.
Since 1924, 14 people have been killed at the St. Fermin festival; the last to be fatally gored was a 22-year-old
American, Matthew Tassio, in 1995. Witnesses said Tassio was knocked to the ground by a bull, then got up
again and was struck by a second animal — a violation of the axiom that runners should remain on the ground if
they get knocked down. Many people are injured each year, by both the animals and the crush of sprinters
frantically making their way to the bullfighting arena on slippery cobblestones. Observers say foreigners —
especially, for some reason, Americans — are most likely to be injured. "Americans come here with the image
of The Sun Also Rises and just don't realize how dangerous it is and how easy it is to trip up," Daniel Ross, an
American vice consul in Spain, told the New York Times after Tassio's accident.
You are not allowed to be drunk during the race. Another oft broken requirement is that all runners be at least
18 years of age. Many Spaniards were outraged to see televised images of a smiling 10-year-old boy dashing
through the streets of Pamplona in 2007. The boy's mother was horrified as well; her ex-husband, who took the
youngster to the festival, lost his visitation rights and was fined $200.
Running of the Bulls
If you're looking for the thrill of a lifetime, running with the bulls should be
near the top of your list! Thousands of tourists flock to Spain each year to run
with the bulls, but it isn't exactly a walk in the park - it's actually an extremely
dangerous sport!
Running of the Bulls - History
The running of the bulls takes place every July during the San Fermin Festival
in Pamplona, Spain. Traditionally, the public has an opportunity to run with the bulls down a half-mile stretch
of cobbled road, which ends in a bull fighting ring. It happens at 8AM every morning for a week straight and
each race lasts two to three minutes. The run started in the mid-1800s when officials would take the bulls from
the edge of town to the bull ring in the center of the city. Before long, people started to join the bulls in the run.
Running of the Bulls - Safety
There are plenty of risks going into this event. Participating in the run means risking a pile-up, which can lead
to injury or death of both the bulls and the runners. With so many people running in a panic, it can be complete
chaos out there. As part of the preparation for the annual event, barricades are placed on each side of the streets
so people can easily exit the race.
Running of the Bulls - How to Run
There are a few key things to remember about participating in the running of the bulls. You should never try to
catch a bull's attention because a bull runs down the path as fast as possible until it reaches its destination. If it is
distracted, it will separate from the rest of the bulls and that could spell trouble! Other ways you can avoid
injury and chaos is to avoid touching the bulls, run behind them, and make sure not to bother the drovers who
lead the bulls to the arena.
Running of the Bulls - Did U Know?
 You must be over 18 years old if you want to run with the bulls.
 A rocket goes off to alert the runners and spectators that the bulls have been released to the street.
 If you are going to play the part, you might as well look the part. Nearly everyone who participates wears
white pants, a white T-shirt, a red belt and a red handkerchief.
 Legendary author Ernest Hemingway wrote numerous novels about the San Fermin Festival.
 You can only start the run at the starting line, you can't join it half way through.
 15 people have died in the past 100 years while running with the bulls. A few hundred people have suffered
from serious injuries as well.
 To learn more about the Running of The Bulls, check out www.sanfermin.com.
Read more: Running of the Bulls | Action Sports | Pamplona | Spain | San Fermin | Pictures
http://www.kidzworld.com/article/7913-running-of-the-bulls#ixzz268Gd21gC
Plan your Trip
These are the different sections of the race. Read about each section below and
choose three that you would plan on doing if you were going to do this.
Running of the bulls, Santo Domingo
The run starts at the bottom of a sloping street called Santo Domingo. This first stretch, of some 280 metres (about 293
yards) goes up as far as the Town Hall. It has always been considered the most dangerous stretch because on this initial
stage the bulls burst out of their pen full of energy and are on top of the runners in a trice. To be more exact, it´s the
third part of this stretch which is the really dangerous part. There is no protective fence on this part which leads into the
small square in front of the Town Hall and so, there is no place you can duck into out of the way of the rampaging bulls.
It´s vital to be aware of this fact so that you can calculate the exact place and distance that you plan to run.
Just at the starting-line there is a small nitch built into the wall which holds a small figure of San Fermin. Here, the
runners who are bunched up in a disordered pack, chant a homily to the saint to entreat his protection just before the
bulls are let loose from the pen.
Running of the bulls, Ayuntamiento
The stretch widens as you move into the Ayuntamiento square and onto a short street called Mercaderes. This stretch is
about 100 metres long (About a 110 yards). The bulls begin to slow down somewhat. The run is on a bend so the bulls
tend to pull towards the right side of the fence brushing against the sidewalk of the street. On this stretch you have a
good chance of making a quick exit through the fence as it´s the longest section of fencing along the whole route.
Running of the bulls, Mercaderes
At the end of Mercaderes Street the route takes a sharp right turn into a street called Estafeta. Two important things
have to be kept in mind at this point: it´s very dangerous to take the turn on the wide side, that´s to say, on the left side.
The bulls, carried by their own inertia, tend to pull over towards the left and they slide up against the fence and the wall
on the corner. They sometimes lose their footing and anyone caught between the wall and the bull could get flattened
by them or even suffer some more serious misfortune.IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU MAKE SURE TO TAKE THIS TURN ON
THE RIGHT SIDE.
Running of the bulls, Estafeta
The danger tends to increase on this stretch as very often there is a loose bull that gets separated from the pack when it
has slipped up at the corner of Mercaderes. It is almost impossible to run the whole length of Estafeta as the bulls will
overtake you and you will need to find a moment to get out of their way. It is important to slip aside cleanly without
tripping up or hindering other runners in any way. Equally, it is important to be careful if you want to try to get a
position close in front of the bulls' horns. Remember any shoving or tripping up other runners here could endanger their
lives and have serious consequences for them. So, in Estafeta Street these points should be borne in mind and it is
especially important to remember to be careful of loose bulls coming from behind even when you think that all the bulls
have already passed by.
Telefónica
Just in front of the Telephone Exchange this is a short stretch of about 90 metres (about a 100 yards) which opens out at
the end of Estafeta Street and leads to the corral at the entrance to the bull ring. The danger is increased by the
presence of inexpert runners and by the change in the pace of the bulls. This stretch turns progressively towards the left
until it goes straight down into the final stretch leading into the bull ring. Here the bulls quicken up but the runners in
front generally don't have time to do it with the same rapidness. This creates dangerous situations and the statistics
reveal a high level of incidents on this stretch of the run. The image of carrying a rolled up newspaper to guide the bulls
along is a traditional one and many believe that it helps the lead the bulls along in this way. And this is so if it is done
with experience and under the directions of the pastores or guides taking up the rear. Without coordination from both
sides the accelerations could create difficult situations for everyone.
Callejón
On this stretch the width is only three meters wide and through this "corridor" all the runners must pass as well
as the pack of bulls. It is easy for the bulls to create space for themselves of course. But the difficulty for the runners
resides in the fact that the route changes suddenly on entering the entrance to the bull ring and there is a steep slope to
reach ground level. It is not easy to keep one's balance at times.
If a runner falls, there are some gaps in the wall through which the runner could crawl to safety. It is important
not to create a pile up here of fallen runners as the space is so tight. It is also advisable not to run in to the bullring after
the bulls have entered. It is not infrequent for a bull to turn back and the problem is that the entrance gate is
immediately shut when the last of the bulls enters for the security of those outside the bullring.
Once the last bull goes through the gates begin to close so it would be safer to pull up your run for your own
safety and the safety of others who might get crushed by too many runners coming behind.
The Bull Ring
The runners should immediately head for the sidelines to allow the waiting drovers to lead the bulls to the
bullpen on the far side of the ring. Running into the centre of the ring is dangerous as you are in the path of the bulls
heading towards their pens.
The arena of the bullring is filled with sand taken from the beach. This is the classic soil for bullfighting. If you
don't wear sneakers or sports shoes of some kind, the sand could cause falls and maybe put the runner at the mercy of
the animals. Consequently, it is important to take note of the change of the ground, from the flagstone of the street to
the sand inside the bullring.
It is also important to realize that entering the ring in front of the bulls it is necessary to turn either right or left.
The bulls do not normally make a brisk turn on entering the ring -their instinct is to run straight ahead. A quick turn to
the left or the right should bring you away from the danger of the bulls coming behind.
It is very important to allow the dobladores (guides who lead the bulls towards the pens) to do their work. These
men wear a green shirt and have a cape in their hands. They shouldn't show the cape to the bull as is done during
bullfights. Rather, they drag the cape on the ground and lead the bull in this way towards the pens. They must be left
alone to do their job without being distracted. There is also a custom among the runners themselves to give a beating to
anyone who interferes with the bull while inside the ring or who hampers the work of the dobladores. A bad custom
perhaps, but it does exist. So, as well as a fine you might also get a beating. The bullring means the end of the running of
the bulls. It is important to get away from the bulls and to be on guard just in case some bull turns back on its heels.
Nombre ____________________________________ Fecha __________________________________ Hora __________
Running of The Bulls in San Fermín
1. How long is the Festival of San Fermin?
2. Who is San Fermin and what city does he represent?
3. What day does the Running of the Bulls start?
4. What is the running of the bulls called in Spanish?
5. How did the running of the bulls start?
6. What did people use in the old days to chase the bulls?
7. What do they use now to chase the bulls?
8. How does the race start?
9. How many people have died since 1924?
10. What nationality is most likely to be injured?
11. How old should you be to participate in the race?
12. How long is the run?
13. What kind of road do you run on?
14. What time does the run start?
15. How long is each run?
16. What might happen if there is a pile up?
17. What are three ways you can avoid injury if you decided to participate?
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18. What do people usually wear for the running of the bulls festival?
19. Could you start in the middle of the race if you wanted to?
20. Could you leave the race early if you wanted to? (You’ll have to go back and look if you don’t know the answer.)
You’ve decided to do the running of the bulls with a friend!
21. What would you wear? What kind of shoes? Pants? Shirt? Why?
22. Which date of the running of the bulls will you choose to do? Why?
Turn me over! There is more on the back!
Plan your strategies. Pick three or more sections of the race that you would run.
What are the dangers there? What strategies will you use to avoid the dangers?
23. Section #1 Name of section __________________________________________________
List the dangerous things found here:
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List your strategies for this section:
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24. Section #2 Name of section __________________________________________________
List the dangerous things found here:
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List your strategies for this section:
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25. Section #3 Name of section __________________________________________________
List the dangerous things found here:
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List your strategies for this section:
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26. Would you want to really participate in this when you are older? Why or why not?
This is a risk calculator for the Running of the Bulls.
27. What dates do you think
would be higher risk? Why?
28. Would wet road be more or
less dangerous?
29. What age do you think would
be safer? Why?
30. What do you think would be
the best physical condition?
Why?
31. What about sleep?
32. How could having experience
help you be safer?