Running of the Bulls Safety
Running with the bulls in Pamplona during the San Fermin festival is NOT a safe activity to do. Liability relies completely within each and every runners’ responsibility. Neither Pamplona’s City Hall nor Navarra’s Government is responsible for any injuries or death caused by the bulls, other runners, or any other factors throughout the event. It is crucial to learn the rules and safety tips to know what you’re doing while you attempt this life-threatening run. Runners in search of the thrill of running next to 6 gigantic bulls (weighing around 1,000 lbs each) should be aware of the risk of getting gored and/or severely injured during this event. This doesn’t stop the thousands of participants in search for the thrill and the rewarding feeling afterwards. We have some guests that keep coming back to participate in the bull run every year! Others are more inclined to do it only once as a bucket list item.
Regardless of whether you’re a seasoned runner or a newbie, here are some safety tips. These won’t make your run safe (as there is no such thing as a “safe” bull run), but will help you better prepare and have a more educated approach as to what to and what not to do during Pamplona’s famous bull run.
Before the Bull Run:
During the Bull Run:
Of course, the safest choice is to watch from a Running of the Bulls balcony rental.
Regardless of whether you’re a seasoned runner or a newbie, here are some safety tips. These won’t make your run safe (as there is no such thing as a “safe” bull run), but will help you better prepare and have a more educated approach as to what to and what not to do during Pamplona’s famous bull run.
Before the Bull Run:
- Know the route. It is recommended that you walk the route a day before you run it, and get familiar with it.
- Know the bull run official rules. Learn what to and what not to do during the “encierro,” the requirements, and the starting time/location of the event.
- Watch the bull run from a balcony BEFORE you decide to run. This helps to give you an idea of what happens during the course of the run.
- Identify the trouble zones that you should avoid at all cost. For example, a big no-go is the intersection of Mercaderes and Estafeta streets, also known as the “Dead Man’s Curve” (the name itself should be a strong indicator that you should avoid this zone).
- Plan ahead: choose a starting point and an ending point of the section you’d like to run. This should be about 10 to 100 meters long. The bulls reach an average speed of 25km/h (and up to 40 km/h during the first section)... which means there is absolutely no way that a runner can remain the entire route (roughly 1 km long) running next to them.
- Wear appropriate clothing. Avoid neckerchiefs, jewelry, sashes, belts, or anything that can be hooked onto the horns of the bulls. This will also keep you safe from other falling runners that may grab on to you.
- Get plenty of sleep and don’t drink too much before the morning of the run. You’ll want to have your 5 senses fully awake to encounter this nerve-wracking experience.
During the Bull Run:
- Listen to your gut. If you decide to run, but you end up feeling too nervous or second-guessing yourself before the run, STOP immediately and leave the bull run route. You can always try some other day.
- Be on the lookout. When running with the bulls, be fully aware of where the pack of bulls is, and keep an eye out for any “sueltos” or bulls that get separated from the pack. These can be extremely dangerous.
- If you fall, stay there. Assume fetal position and cover your head with both of your arms. Don’t move until you’re 100% certain that all of the bulls have passed and are ahead of you. Staying still will help you become unattractive to the bulls. It is extremely dangerous (and a very common mistake) to stand up and attract a bull’s attention, as the bull fixates on just that one person and becomes obsessed on goring that target.
- Last, but not least, ALWAYS respect the bulls. Touching, mocking, molesting, grabbing, or any other behavior that may irritate or disrespect the animals is NOT allowed.
Of course, the safest choice is to watch from a Running of the Bulls balcony rental.