Running with the bulls in Pamplona

" Any suggestions? "

Don't give any support to this cruel, so called sport.

From Wikipedia:

"Since 1910, 14 people have been killed in Pamplona, the last person to be killed in the Pamplona's bull run was Fermín Etxeberria Iraneta a 63-year-old veteran runner from Pamplona who died in 2003 from a head injury while the last person to be directly killed by the bull's horns was Matthew Tassio, an American tourist who was gored in 1995."

I say go for it.

I suggest you research previous threads on travel medical insurance and evacuation insurance...:)

And don't eat a heavy breakfast.

Have fun.

Back in 2007 I walked through Pamplona a day or so after the running of the bulls (I was on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail). It's a neat city, with nice shops and beautiful architecture (especially the old part), but it is hard to find a place to stay there during the running, and if you do it'll probably cost you a lot more than the normal rate due to the festival.

Tips? I've heard the following, all done at your own risk (especially since I made no plans to run, as pilgrims were warned against such foolishness): Don't run drunk. Run fast, try not to look back a lot (good hearing and spatial skills are a plus), and don't fall down. The cobblestones can be slippery, so wear proper footwear. Have health insurance that covers bonehead exploits, and it's a good idea to have a traveling companion who can help take care of you if you get hurt or identify your body if you perish. Buena suerte!

I would be interested to know the injury statistics, as the number of deaths usually underestimates the number of serious injuries.

I don't know if this is true, but I have heard that only males can run with the bulls? Does anyone know if this is true? Don't worry, I don't I would never run from a bull willingly!

No, it can't be true that only males can do this. The women on "Globe Treker" even did it. One woman said that it's not the bulls that are the most dangerous, but for a woman, it's the "men" that run you down. This wasn't meant to be a joke. This woman dropped out because the men were running her down, not the bulls!
It does sound funny though!

Thanks to all who replied. I was asking out of curiosity because I've heard about this and was wondering if someone could share a closer experience, but no way am I going to try it or go near it!

I have been in Pamplona during the running of the bulls. I took a night train from Barcelona to Pamplona and watched (from the fence). It was quite an experience. If you have the chance, I would go. I walked around town later that day, and it is a nice town as well. Be warned, though, the town and trains are packed.

A friend of mine ran it about ten years ago. His review was published on ESPN's website.

The first try he bought the traditional garb and lined up in the street. The powers that be decided there were too many people on the run to be safe so they moved a fence and literally pushed his entire section off the course.

He did it again the next day and was able to run. He said he was close enough to a few bulls to touch them, mostly they were just running past to get to the arena. Occassionally a bull would target a specific person and if you weren't quick to get out of the way, you could get hurt. People tripping over each other was the source of most injuries, including cuts, bruises and broken bones. It's rare for someone to get killed.

As I recall if you make it into the arena before they close the gates you get free admission for the day. He didn't but had a memorable time.

I really want to do it, my wife thinks I'm crazy.

With all this talk of human injury/death, I'd like to bring up the rate of animal death. And for what? It breaks my heart to think there are those out there who think it is ok to release an animal into that kind of mayhem, then cheer wildly as the animal confusedly tries to make its way through a pre-set course on its way to a painful, inhumane, barbaric and tragic death.

Yeah, sounds like fun. I imagine to those who participate, a close second to this kind of good time would be clubbing a baby seal.

Over the last several years we have always found ourselves in Europe during this event and have therefore enjoyed quite long local TV news coverage segments as opposed to the ten second snarky "Aren't those European people wacky?" reports of US broadcasters. Based on what I've seen of these comprehensive news stories, I have concluded the following:

1. The goal is to have some kind of verifiable bull contact that is not a severe injury but is enough to form the basis for boastful war stories and endless drinks bought by others. A small contusion works well especially if a witness can verify that it occurred as a result of a bull horn swung with bad intentions and not resulting from one tripping over one's own feet and landing against a dumpster.

2. The alcohol prohibition appears to be a wink and a nudge type situation.

3. Bulls have trouble turning quickly on cobblestones.

When I see see a bull with a goring prospect, I always shout, "Get him!" It may be this guy's one shot at really feeling alive, along with the free drinks, and I'd hate for him to miss the opportunity.

AMEN to Bob and Angela. Don't support this kind of barbaric practice.

Why? I get if you must, bring a change of underpants.

Kristen, perhaps you were referring to this:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1544083/clever_bull/

Neil, I was thinking of something else :) Love the video! What a bunch of nuts! LOL

Wow, I'm not a member of PETA, but this is pretty disgusting. They kill the bulls later in the day AFTER tormenting them all day? This is awful...
http://www.peta.org/actioncenter/humanrace.asp

Carole,
If you want to see a running of the bulls, go to sanfermin.com. Click on any link with the "Encierro.....". The whole run lasts less than 4 minutes.

I'm surprised no one has yet today revived this dormant thread, so the honor is all mine, I suppose:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31843227/ns/world_news-europe

Not everyone played their part, it appears.

Neil: I'm so sorry to hear about his death despite it being an avoidable tragedy.

I originally asked this question out of curiousity. For this type of activity, I'm content to stay in my armchair.

Truly "Darwins Law" in action.