We’ve all seen the images of men and women running through narrow cobble stoned lined streets in an attempt to outrun several angry bulls. It’s crazy, there’s no denying it; however, the adrenaline rush would be second to none and it would long continue after the event has finished… so long as you make it out unharmed of course.
It is said that the tradition dates back to the early 14th century when farmers transported cattle to sell at the markets. Men would attempt to make the process faster by hurrying their cattle with myriad methods that injected both fear and excitement into the animals. Needless to say, one thing led to another and now thousands of locals and tourists participate in the Running of the Bulls across villages and towns all over Spain, Portugal, Mexico and France.
The most famous Running of the Bulls is that of the eight-day festival of Sanfermines in honour of Saint Fermin in Pamplona. The Encierro is the event at the soul of the Sanfermines and takes place from July 7-14 and starts at the corral in Calle Santo Domingo when the clock on the church of San Cernin strikes 8am. After the launching of two rockets, the bulls charge behind the runners for 825m, the distance between the corral and the bullring. The run usually lasts between three and four minutes.
Strap on your trainers, swallow some concrete and do yourself a favour by running in front of people much slower than you… you’re in for one hell of a ride. No bull.
