Bullfighting is deeply rooted in world historical traditions. However, local public opinion now leans against tradition. Although the site includes information for tourists interested in attending the events, TripSavvy relies on its readers to make their own decisions about the ethics of bullfighting as an attraction.
Running with the bulls is dangerous and not recommended. Every year dozens of people require medical attention after running with the bulls. It is important to get advice on how to run with the bulls from people who have run before.
The biggest problem is that people run with very little knowledge of what to expect. The other main reason there are so many injuries is that people often run while incredibly drunk. Imagine a mountaineer or base jumper drinking before engaging in dangerous activities of your own!
Here are some tips we’ve collected from people who ran with the bulls and lived to tell the tale. By no means does this advice constitute a safe passage through the Pamplona Running of the Bulls. Hundreds of hyperactive people fleeing six angry bulls are unpredictable; this tip is simply intended to help you. If you insist on running, good luck!
The San Fermín Festival and Bull Run
Bullfights are just one part of the San Fermín Festival (although they are certainly the most famous), one of the oldest festivals in Spain. Taking place in the northern city of Pamplona from July 6 to 14, the festival was originally a religious celebration with roots dating back to the 15th century, but it became much more frivolous and fun over the years.
Bullfighting became popular in the English-speaking world thanks in part to Ernest Hemingway, who included a detailed description of the event in “The Sun Also Rises.”
Don’t be fooled into thinking that bullfighting is somehow a safer and more humane equivalent to the bullfighting of Spain. First of all, the bulls you run with in the morning will be in a bullfight later in the evening . Second, the hooves of bulls are not designed for running on cobblestones. Bulls stumble and often break their legs.
Another thing to remember is that bullfights begin at 8am. You can get up early, but most revelers party all night. Despite its popularity, the practice of drinking all night and then attempting to run with the bulls is not recommended .
Also, remember that there are bullfights throughout the week. You don’t have to run the first day; in fact, it is often the most dangerous due to the large volume of people who want to participate. Instead, party all night on July 6 and watch the first bullfight on the morning of July 7 to get an idea of what to expect. You may even find that as funny as it looks in the pictures, running with the real bulls is not your thing.
Would we recommend running with the bulls? Not.
How to make the most of the race with the bulls in Pamplona
If you still insist on running with the bulls, knowing what to expect is key. Having no idea what will happen or how to stay safe during bullfighting can go a long way in keeping participants safe.
First of all, you will need to know when the event officially starts. Two firecrackers are fired to signal the start of the race. The first is to alert the participants that the bulls have been released from the pen. The second is to announce that they have started running towards the start of the course.
Unless you’re at the beginning of the course, none of these firecrackers are a signal for you to run. If you do, you will never see the bulls. Instead, follow those behind you – when they start running, you’ll know it’s time.
Unfortunately, waiting for the bulls to approach makes everything more dangerous, but not waiting means that you can’t really say that you have run with the bulls. To stay safe, keep the following tips in mind.
Tip number one: follow the official rules
These are adapted from the official rules issued by the city council, with some additional notes (we have also removed some rules intended only for local residents).
- Children under the age of 18 cannot run or enter the course.
- Do not climb over or over fences.
- Do not hide in the corners, dead ends or doors on the route before the release of the bulls (of course, if you need to shelter in those places during the race, that is fine)
- Those who are drunk, high, or otherwise perceived as a danger to others, will not be able to run. You will be eliminated and kept away from the course during the bullfight, so even watching the show will not be an option.
- Do not wear anything while running.
- Participants must be dressed appropriately. This includes the traditional costume of San Fermín (white shirt and pants with a red scarf) and appropriate footwear.
- Do not distract, grab, harass, or mistreat animals.
- Do not take photos from the course.
- Follow all instructions from the authorities (this can be a bit difficult if you don’t speak Spanish, so just follow the others).
How to stay safe running with the bulls in Pamplona
- Don’t run on your first day at the festival. Watch some bullfights to get an idea of what to expect. If possible, walk the course with someone who has run before.
- Not only should you avoid running on the first day for the reasons mentioned above, but you may not even be allowed to run at all. Every year more and more people come to Pamplona to run with the bulls, and the first day is always the most popular. As a result, the local police are getting tougher on who they allow to run, and a seemingly inexperienced foreigner is more likely to be pulled out of the crowd on the first day than on any other day.
- In addition to the bulls, watch out for other participants falling on you or stumbling in front of you. With a large number of people running, this happens a lot. Even if you think you can escape a bull, keep in mind that when five people fall in front of you, it will be difficult to take evasive action.
- If you come down, stay down. Cover your head and just lie there. You may have some bruising, but it is safer than trying to get up. Spectators will hit him on the shoulder when it is safe to move.
- Take tight corners, as the bulls are going to widen.
- Swallow your pride and start in what is known as “Dead Man’s Corner.” It is 300 meters from the end of the course and is marked as such. Starting all over again will almost inevitably result in injury. It is also unlikely that you will be able to start all over anyway, as the police try to pick tourists and get them to a safer starting point.
- Don’t Drink If you must drink, keep your intake to a minimum.
- Sleep a little . While sleeping outside in parks is allowed and many people do, it is not the most comfortable situation and poses a high risk of theft. Try and book your accommodation as soon as possible: if there are no hotels available, many locals will rent spare rooms and even sofas in their apartments during the festival.
- If you want to enter the arena, don’t stay too far behind the bulls as they will close the gates shortly after the bulls have entered. You don’t need to participate in the arena action – once in the ring, you are free to scale the wall and watch from the safety of the spectator areas. However, don’t run too close to the bull, you shouldn’t risk it turning and causing more trouble!
Pamplona Bull Run Route
The bullfight covers a total of 875 meters in the historic center of Pamplona. Head over to the festival’s official website to see a map of the route and start getting to know the terrain.
- Cuesta de Santo Domingo
The steep uphill climb to the Pamplona bullfight. If you’d rather watch than participate, the church area offers some of the best views (along with the bullring at the end). This is considered the most dangerous stretch due to the irritation that bulls can get immediately after being released. - Town Hall Square at Curva de Mercaderes
Here there are many places of refuge and wide spaces. Bulls also tend to slow down a bit once they hit this stretch. Once you reach Calle Mercaderes, keep right; bulls will often take the left turn.
- Estafeta Street
A dangerous corner where bulls always run wide. If you need to get out of the way for a moment, do it in a way that doesn’t block other runners. - Baja de Javier, Duque de Ahumada, Telefónica building
The street narrows here and overcrowding can occur. Also, there are few places to hide. This afternoon in the race the bulls spread out, making things more complicated, although you would think it would be easy to see a bull, they are much easier to spot when in a group. - Alley
This narrow street creates a dangerous bottleneck. Animals are getting tired and slowing down, and so are humans, which can cause chaos.
- Bullring
Head immediately to the bench when you enter the bullring. Do not stand in the center of the ring – you will be right in the path of the bulls with little chance of escape. You will see several people in green shirts dragging layers on the ground to lead the bulls to the corral; It is very important to let these guides do their job without distraction, and bullfight participants have been known to beat up those bulls who interfere with the guides’ work.
