Running with Bulls - Where do I start?

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2 Comments

• #1

  NO QUIERO MORRIR.... Travis (Monday, 27 April 2009 09:25)

  Ok.. so where should I start..I have kids and dont want to die..
  Where do you recommend that I start so I can get a good picture of me so I can brag to my friends, but not DIE!!
  
  Also is it cool to stay in San Sebastian or is that to much of a pain.. We will come to Pamplona for a couple of days and have a car.. My friend said he even stayed up all night one night and just slept in the park one day..
  
  Let me know if you have any advice

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  #2

  PamplonaMan (Tuesday, 28 April 2009 00:54)

  We suggest that you choose no more than a 200 metre section of the route & stick to it!
  
  Walk the route the day before to get orientated & familiarize yourself with your start-end points!
  
  Santo Domingo is the start of the Encierro- this section is the quickest & fastest part of the route - suited & prefered by many experienced runners.
  
  Ayuntamiento - town Hall square, is in my opinion, the safest place to begin your first bullrun because the bulls arrive up from the hill of Santo Domingo & they have slowed down a little, now, on this level 100 metre section through the square. The crowds here have alot more space to spread out & avoid the bulls, plus there are many exit points here , through the wooden fences!
  
  Dead Man´s curve is a 90 degree right angle turn into Estafeta. Wiyhout doubt, this one is not for the novice runner - If you do run this section , do not....I repeat....do not..... run on the left hand side while taking the turn!!....as this is where the bulls often slip & often catch half a dozen so of runners who dont know the deal!!...So, stay to your right and you will avoid the pile-up that often occurs here!
  
  Estafeta a straight 300 metre track, with a 2 degree incline to the top at Telefonica. Classed as the most dangerous of all the run because you cant see the bulls coming up the hill as the crowds are really packed-in here in the very narrow street with 1 exit point in the middle & another at the end. All it takes is for one guy to fall which in turn leads to a huge pile-up of people on the ground , infront of the oncoming Toros Bravos bulls. In this section the most dangerous element is the crowds & often a bull breaks loose here & sometimes they even turn back into the unsuspecting crowds!
  
  Telefonica, is a 40 metre section lined with double barrier fences for the quick exits needed here as the bulls have become fatigued now and fosters the breaking-up of the herd. Experienced runners are aware of the dangers of the prized position here to be infront of the bulls to facilitate entry to the bullring to complete their run!
  
  Callejon, is basically the alley & tunnel that leads into Plaza del Toros. experienced runners are well aware of the dangers here as there are no exit points once you enter this section. Overcrowding & the Glory of making it to the bullring often lead to pile-ups in the the tunnel. Some of the most spectacular photos of the bullrun have been captured here!
  
  Plaza de Toros or bullring is a 50 metre diameter bullring & the 3rd biggest in the world! On entering the bullring, runners should be mindful of the runners coming behind them by heading off to the left or right on entering the bullring in order to keep the entrance clear for the new arrivals. The bulls are then guided to their corals and this is the end of the encierro!!!
  
  Should you have any questions or experience any problems, please get in touch with us at +34 669866650, +34 948 210 540, Skype:jude1965 or info@sanfermintravelcentral.com
  
  ¡Viva! San Fermin!
  
  Michael Murphy
  www.sanfermintravelcentral.com
  www.sanfermintravelcentral.com/blog
  www.retaggr.com/Card/PamplonaMan.

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