The Running of the Bulls

The Running of the Bulls is the most wide-known and famous event of la Fiesta de San Fermin, or in English, the Festival of San Fermin. The festival is to celebrate the martyred bishop, Saint, or San Fermin. The festival is in the Spanish city of Pamplona. This fun-filled, risky tradition began at first as a necessity as a way to bring the bulls to market to sell and butcher. As the years went by, though, the risk and excitement made it famous and a spectacle for thousands to enjoy and participate. This event was immortalized in the book The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, which also helped to catapult its renown. There is even a nude run as protest for the run called the Running of the Nudes. The Running of the Bulls is an extremely exciting world-famous event.

The Running of the Bulls is the kick off event of each day of the festival. The festival starts on July 7^th and runs for a week until July 14^th. The run sets off at sunrise, usually around eight o’ clock a.m. The run is roughly about 800 meters and usually lasts for only a mere two to three minutes. There are several strict, yet very general rules for the run. Most of the runners are young men, but all age, sex, and body types are welcome and allowed to enter the run (except minors).

The morning schedule runs as follows. There are three rockets all together: the first to let the bulls out, the second to let all the people know the bulls are out, and the third for after the entire race is over. In the morning of each day, the fencing lining the route of the run is closed off. Next, the police come in and clear the streets of any people suffering from hang-overs or other such things from the morning before. Then, the street cleaners come and make sure there is no rubbish or debris that could interfere in the run. Spectators must stay behind the double fencing and only the medics are allowed between it. The Run is a rough two to three minute, 800 meters. At the start at the bottom of Santo Domingo Street, the runners sing a homily to San Fermin: “A San Fermin pedimos, por ser nuestro patron, nos guie en el encierro dandonos su bendicion,” translated to, “We ask San Fermin, as our Patron, to guide us through the Bull Run and give us his blessing.” The beginning is at the bottom of Santo Domingo, a sloped street that has a stretch about 280 meters. This is the most dangerous part because of the initial burst and overcrowding and there is no fence or place to duck until the third part of the stretch. The stretch then widens onto Ayuntamiento square and then onto Mercaderes. This stretch is about 100 meters and is the longest stretch of fencing to escape at. There is a sharp turn at the end of Mercaderes onto Estafeta, which is very dangerous on the wide/left side. Runners must be very careful not to get in the path and side of the bulls because of their inertia. Estafeta Street is a long 450 meters leading to the 90 meter stretch in front of the Telephone Exchange. This leads to the corral to the entrance to the bull ring. Many runners, usually the inexperienced, tend to bunch up and create potential hazards. Callejon, the narrow corral to the ring, is quite tight and sometimes causes pile-ups. Once runners get through, they’ll want to scatter out in all directions and head for the sidelines. The center is dangerous to go because it may catch the bull’s attention easier, which can be dangerously deadly.

These are all important details to be kept in mind during the run. The recommended way to run this is to start out slowly, since the bulls will be as well. But, very quickly, speed up to stay in front of the bulls. Hang near for a short time and then get out as safely, smoothly, and swiftly as possible. It would be smart to look for a gap or else even plan a spot the night before. The bulls are extremely dangerous, obviously, so one must take crucial measures to keep the safety of themselves and others in mind. The bulls weigh about 600 kilos and have two very large, strong, rock-hard horns that can and will cut through pretty much anything. Also, runners will want to avoid overcrowding, which may lead to knocking over, which may lead to the painful experience of being stomped on by people and the bulls. If a runner falls, they should stay down because it’s much safer to get bruised than to trip others as well. Also, one does not want to risk the chance of getting impaled by a horn, which has happened, tragically, to a few. Runners should keep these details in mind in their running.

There are several rules and guidelines runners must follow. The following rules should be obeyed at all times:

· Look for official gates; the officials don’t like runners to exit just anywhere

· Drunken and disorderly is out of order, stupid, dangerous, and strictly forbidden

· Be aware of all: keep eye on bulls, other runners, possible exits, etc.

· Don’t distract/attract the bulls’ attention. It’s highly dangerous, serious, and rouses the anger of others and getting your “come-up-ins” from the others.

· Concerning trip-ups: stay down because of the danger of tripping others and getting impaled or seriously injured by the bulls or their horns.

· Don’t try to touch or trail the bulls, don’t stand still, and fan out in the ring.

· Don’t disrupt or disturb the drovers or herders. Don’t carry anything with you.

· Forbidden: minors under 18; going over police barriers; getting in zones of itinerary; hide in corners, angles, doors; leave open doors; enter under influence of drugs and alcohol; carrying objects; wearing inappropriate clothing; to call, distract, mistreat or run at/behind the bulls; any other kind of occurrence that could interfere in the normal functioning of the run.

These rules and guidelines must and should be followed at all times throughout the runs.

La Fiesta de San Fermin in Pamplona Spain is to celebrate the martyred bishop San Fermin. A French bishop, San Saturnino came to Pamplona where he successfully converted many to Christianity, including the prominent family of Senator Fermo and his family. Fermo’s son, Fermin, started being taught by the bishop. At 17 he began preaching and at 24 was confirmed a bishop in France. He returned to Pamplona and then back to France. When he returned again to Pamplona to finish up his and Saturnino’s work there, he stood up against the local powers. He was then tortured, beheaded, and made a martyr. Centuries later, his remains were found, placed in the local cathedral, and remain there now. The festival is to celebrate his great work, yet, ironically enough, he isn’t even the patron saint of the city or region.

The Running of the Bulls is a world-renown event. It is the most profound part of the Fiesta de San Fermin. It is a time of fun and excitement for all who watch and participate.

“Pamplona.” Funk and Wagnalls New Encyclopedia. 1980, ed.

San Fermin Guide. 6 Feb. 2006. http://www.sanfermin.com/guia

Vernon, Jennifer. Running of Bulls Helps Kick Off Pamplona Festival. July 9, 2004 National Geographic News. 8 Feb. 2006. http://news.nationalgeographic.com

Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 3 Feb. 2006. The Running of the Bulls. 8 Feb. 2006. http://en.wikipedia.org