From 7 to 14 July each year in Pamplona, Spain takes place the Feast of San Fermin, famous in the world by the bulls runs, celebrated by Ernest Hemingway in his novel of 1926 Fiesta.
Every morning at 8.00 am, six fighting bulls and six tamed bell-oxen are released on the narrow streets of Pamplona’s center, along a 825-meter-long walk to Plaza de Toros. At the outbreak of the rocket the Encierro starts and the 3.000 participants begin their crazy run. Although the route is rather short it is practically impossible for a runner to cover the whole course. Good runners like to get close to the horns and keep their position as long as they can.
The run normally does not last more than 2-3 minutes, but the adrenaline rate is very high: the potential risk, the general sense of fear that those thundering bulls can instill, the surrounding atmosphere, make these moments really intense.
The running of the bulls may be watched from behind the wooden fencing along the streets, or in the bullring where the race ends or on a tv screen. But the most comfortable and impressive view is that from one of the many balconies that line the route that can be rented.
Runners sprint ahead of bulls during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 7, 2017. REUTERS/Susana Vera TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
A runner is seen through the legs of bulls sprinting towards the bullring during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 7, 2017. REUTERS/Susana Vera TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Runners fall alongside Cebada Gago bulls during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 7, 2017. REUTERS/Joseba Etxaburu
PAMPLONA, SPAIN – JULY 07: Revellers run with Cebada Gago’s fighting bulls entering the bullring during the second day of the San Fermin Running of the Bulls festival on July 7, 2017 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
PAMPLONA, SPAIN – JULY 07: Revellers run with Cebada Gago’s fighting bulls entering the bullring during the second day of the San Fermin Running of the Bulls festival on July 7, 2017 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
Revellers run in front of Cebada Gago fighting bulls during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin Festival, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Friday, July 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
A runner sprints alongside Cebada Gago bulls during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain July 7, 2017. REUTERS/Eloy Alonso
A runner falls under Cebada Gago bulls during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 7, 2017. REUTERS/Joseba Etxaburu
A runner falls under Cebada Gago bulls during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 7, 2017. REUTERS/Joseba Etxaburu
A runner falls under Cebada Gago bulls during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain. REUTERS/Joseba Etxaburu
Revellers hold up neckties during the launching of the ‘Chupinazo’ rocket, to celebrate the official opening of the 2017 San Fermin Fiestas in Pamplona, Spain, Thursday July 6, 2017. The first of eight days of the running of the bulls along the streets of the old quarter of Pamplona starts Friday. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Revellers raise their hands as the municipal band plays at the town square during the start of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 6, 2017. REUTERS/Eloy Alonso TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
A municipal musical band prepare while revellers hold up neckties during the launching of the ‘Chupinazo’ rocket, to celebrate the official opening of the 2017 San Fermin Fiestas in Pamplona, Spain, Thursday July 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
PAMPLONA, SPAIN – JULY 06: Revellers hold up their hands as they enjoy the atmosphere during the opening day or ‘Chupinazo’ of the San Fermin Running of the Bulls fiesta on July 6, 2017 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
A reveller squirts wine into his mouth during the launching of the ‘Chupinazo’ rocket, to celebrate the official opening of the 2017 San Fermin Fiestas in Pamplona, Spain, Thursday July 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)