The Run

The History

The festival of San Fermin, or “The Running of the Bulls”, Pamplona begins at noon on 6th July every year with the 'chupinazo' which takes place on the balcony of the Casa Consistorial in Pamplona. Thousands of people gather in the square for the mayor's official announcement that the fiestas have begun, a rocket is launched. The actual “Run” starts 8am the next morning, July 7.

The history of Pamplona is a bit cloudy, as are may stories in Spain.. There is evidence the festival dates back to the 13th century. Then the events took place in October as the time of the festival of San Fermin, October 10th. The timing of the “Run” evolved over the years and by the 14th century was held on July 6.

Through the centuries the deeply religious festival of San Fermin became diluted by music, dancing, bullfights and markets such that the Pamplona Council proposed that the whole event be moved to July 7th when the weather is far more conducive to such a celebration. To this day San Fermin remains a fixed date every year July 6th to July 14th.

The joining together of the religious, commercial and bullfighting festivals and the move to July 7th led to the first official celebration of San Fermines in 1591. This inaugural fiesta was a low key affair in comparison to the modern day running of the bulls as it only lasted two days although there was much merriment involving music, a procession and a bullfight. dancing and fireworks became features of the festival over the next few years and the event was extended to July 10th.

The purpose of the “Run” itself is the transport of the bulls from the off-site stock yard where they had spent the night, to the bullring where they will be killed that evening.

The first foreigners began showing up in Pamplona around the 17th century when the local clergy made reference of their concern about "the abuse of drink and the permissiveness of young men and women". By now there was plenty music, dancing, drinking, street theatre and bull running as the religious focus of the occasion took a back seat. The church never liked this.

By the 19th century the “Running” had become a real circus literally, replete with clowns, loins and human cannonballs. It was in 1926 with the publishing of Hemmingway’s book "The Sun Also Rises" the fiesta had became a truly real international event!

The Route

To start the bulls climb Santo Domingo and go across the Ayuntamiento Square down along the Calle Mercaderes. The real dangerous part of the “Run” begins at the closed curve leading into Calle Estafeta which is the longest stretch of the run.

Next comes a small section of Calle Duque de Ahumada which is also known as the Telefónica stretch. The last stretch leads into a dead end street which backs on to the access to the Bull Ring. Here is where many a man has meet the bull.

The Fence

Double wooden fence is used in those streets where there is enough space for it, while in other parts the buildings of the street act as barriers. It is composed of around three thousand separate pieces and while some parts are left for the duration of the fiesta others are mounted and dismounted every morning

Counter Point

Many animal rights groups oppose the event. PETA activists has created the “The Running of the Nudes”, a demonstration the day before the actual “Run”. Marching naked down the Calle, they protested the “Run” and the following bullfight, arguing the bulls are tortured and killed for entertainment.

The Tickets

Tickets for the "Run" and the following bullfights are sold out well in advance as the arena only holds 12,500 people. Every evening after the day's bullfight some tickets go on sale for the next evening's event at the 'Taquillas' at the bull ring. You'll usually find ticket touts operating around the Plaza de Toros during the day and before the bullfight selling at greatly elevated prices.

Pamplona Accommodation

Book a hotel well in advance, like 12 months in advance. Pamplona hotels are very difficult if not impossible to book on short notice. If you're planning on going for this event then consider booking up to 18 months in advance. An alternative is to stay in San Sebastian (city near to Pamplona) and make the early morning bus trip to the “Run” from there.

The Warning

From the City Council... As well as being the best known act of the Sanfermines the "Run" is also the most dangerous. In order to ensure that the "Run" goes off successfully and to avoid danger it is advised that the spectators and runners bear in mind certain minimal "Rules" which guarantee the normal running of the event.

The Rules

Below is a list of things you should NOT do:

1.- To admit anyone under the age of 18 into the course as minors are totally prohibited from running or participating.

2.- To go over the police barriers which the authorities see fit to erect.

3.- To place oneself in the zones and areas of the itinerary which are expressly indicated by the agents of the authorities.

4.- To hide oneself before the release of the bulls in corners, dead angles or doorways of houses or establishments located throughout the length of the course.

5.- To leave open the doors of the houses along the course, the owners or tenants of the said property being responsible for this.

6.- To enter into the route in a state of drunkenness, under the effects of drugs or in any inappropriate state.

7.- To carry objects which may impede the correct running of the Bull Run.

8.- To wear clothes or shoes which are not appropriate for the run.

9.- Call the animals or distract them in any way and for whatever reason in the course or during the rounding up in the Bull Ring.