Spain Travel - Running of The Bulls

The practice began in the 13th century when butchers ran slightly ahead of the bulls that were to be placed for sale. It gained popularity and although people tried to stop it in the late 1800's, it still became a popular tradition.

Perhaps what popularized the running of the bulls (and the whole festival of San Fermin) the most in countries throughout the world is Ernest Hemingway's famous novel "The Sun Also Rises". When Hemingway came to Pamplona for the first time in July 1923, he was fascinated by the atmosphere where bull, man, and death came together as one. Three years later, he published "The Sun Also Rises", which used the festivals of San Fermin as a backdrop. He returned to the festival of San Fermin 8 more times after that. He came in 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1929 and 1931 and always attended the festival without fail. Hemingway brought popularity to Pamplona like no other could. Today, on the Paseo next to the bullring bearing his name, there is a monument dedicated with his name in Pamplona. Its inscription says (translated from Spanish) "To Ernest Hemingway, Nobel Laureate in Literature, friend of this city and admirer of its fiestas, which he discovered and brought fame to".

Addtional information on Hemingway and Pamplona's festival can be obtained through the link.

Anybody who is willing to be a participant can join, you only have to pick a place in the street where you want to be at. There is no registration fee needed.

1. Everyone is supposed to be 18 years or older.
2. Crowding the fence is not allowed.
3. You cannot carry things in the runway.
4. cannot go in drunk or drugged.
5. You must be dressed appropriately.
6. Do not call the bulls or grab their attention.
7. You can only start at the beginning of the run, no joining it halfway.
8. Don't touch the animals.
9. Runners get a 50meter head start.
10. Running backwards towards the bulls or running behind them.

• If you fall down, you should not get up, just curl yourself up in a ball. It is by getting up that the last fatality in 1980 occurred.


• Ask others for advice. The best way to get familiar with this is to ask experienced runners.


• The most dangerous points are Callejon-Plaza de Toros (eight deaths) and the end of the Cuesta de Santo Domingo (three deaths)

White trousers, white shirt
Red hankerchief - You will wear this around your neck. (costs about 5 euros)
Long thin red scarf - Used to tie it around your waist like a belt.
Rolled up newspaper - This is used to gauge distance between the bull and to incite it if necessary (to avoid danger to someone else).

Surely you are not traveling to Spain just for the bulls right? The running of the bulls is part of a bigger celebration for the Festival of San Fermin. During this time there are many religious processions, street music, folkloric dancing and lots of drinking.. and drinking and drinking. The festival begins on the 6th of June after a firework (the Tuxpinazo) is set off from the Town Hall. It commences on the 14th of July.

Before the bulls are let out, the crowd sings a song asking San Fermin to guide them through the bull run. They say the following: "A San Fermín pedimos, por ser nuestro patrón, nos guíe en el encierro dándonos su bendición". Once the bulls are let out a rocket goes off to warn the runners that the gate is open. A second rocket sounds to tell runners that six bulls and six steers have been let out and to run like hell. A third rocket goes off when to indicate that the bulls are in their pens and that the Bull Run is over. There are normally about 10 to 12 bulls then followed by cows that help the drovers collect all the strays.

There have been incidences where people have died during this long time tradition. Since 1910, 15 people have died in this event. The last casualty was an American named Peter Matthews Tasio, who was gored by one of the bulls. In 1980, a bull left two fatally wounded.

• The longest bull run took 30 minutes on July 11, 1959 because a Miura bull dropped behind the herd. It needed a dog to bite it to corral it back into place.


• The speed of the bulls is 24 km/h.


• There are 2,000 runners on the weekdays and 3,500 on the weekends.

1. Make sure you get there early. Some people stay up all night to get a good viewing spot.


2. Balconies are rented out for 20 or 30 euros/day.


3. At street level: You can watch from the outer barrier, but make sure you get there early for a spot.

Book through internet services such as Expedia, Orbitz, Hotwire, or Travelocity. Some of these offer coupons so make sure you search for coupons to see if there are any good deals available. Also check if there is an Expedia coupon code you could use for your flight and hotel to Spain.

"Running of the nudes" was created in 2002 as an alternative to the running of the bulls. It is supported by animal opposition groups such as PETA. In this event people wear only red scarves (some do wear underwear) and march along the same route that the bulls go through. The event takes place 2 days before the actual running of the bulls.