Has anyone ever expereinced the running of the bulls in Pamplona?

Question

I think I'm going to be doing this while in Spain this summer.

Answer 1

It is amazing actually, and you do not need to train as the other person said.  

Basically, the party begins on the Thursday afternoon (usually around July 6th or 7th) at 12noon sharp, when the mayor of Pamplona announces the beginning of the festivities at which point everyone pops a bottle of champagne (the event is called the "Chupinazo".  The next 20 hours are the best part of the festival as people are partying, everyone is in the traditional white outfit with red sash & scarf (don;t worry if you dont have the outfit, its very easy to buy the various pieces in many stands set up in the city).  Then basically over the next 20 hours (from 12 noon on Thursday until 8am on Friday morning), people party, drink sangria, champagne, etc.)  At 8am is the first "Running of the Bulls" or 'encierro'

There are a ton of people everywhere forming a sea of white & red.  They say that more than a million people pack the streets, but it is manageable.  A couple of watch points - make sure you have a hotel (some backpackers/adventurers decide they will sleep in the park or on a bench - bad idea!  Thieves are out everywhere, so watch your belongings at all times!)

The other problem with so many people is that by the 2nd or 3rd day, the streets are littered with broken glass, used cups, glasses, etc.  It gets ugly, so i recommend being there for the opening ceremony (the Chupinazo i mentioned earlier), and then for at least one or two "Runnings" which take place for seven mornings in a row.

So, the first "Running of the Bulls" takes place on Friday morning.  You need to be in the central town square by 6.30 or 7am if you want to run cause the organisers fence you in and do not allow anyone else into the area of "runner".  Its quite a scene - everyone packed onto balconies along the entire route of the run from the main square all the way to the bullring.  And when the sun is rising...its awesome.

The bulls are released about 1 minute away from the square and this is marked by a single shot fired at around 8am.  When this shot is fired, the fenced in runners area is opened to the route, so you can start running, and technically make it to the bullring without ever seeing a bull!!  So it can be done quite harmlessley.  Its a little crowded and tight and the beginning, but just stay calm.  it gets spread out quickly.

Then when the bulls make it to the ring, i believe there are 2 more shots fired.  Hardcore Spaniards wait for the bulls with nothing more than a rolled up newspaper to taunt and keep the bulls away.  Here is where things can get dangerous.  The thrill of just running the route was good enough for me...and then there is the bullring where you can hang out and watch all the bulls get penned in from the actual grounds!  And you run into the stadium and the stands are filled - its quite a spectacle.  But, if you run into the ring before any bulls have arrived (like I did), the crowd boos you!! (the Spanish boo by whistling, fyi).

The route from the square to the bullring is cobblestone, and wet (they wash it and also the morning slickness makes things wet) = its dangerous.  There is one famous turn where the bulls all slip and collide into a wall and get disoriented - be careful!  Wear good shoes, dont push and dont panic.  Also, try not to be too drunk - the organisers will not let you run, so they say, if you are too drunk.  But i ran twice, and no one was evicted.

When you get to the bullring, its fun, but be careful as bulls can charge you, in which case you just jump a wall.  Also, they then let out small bulls with shaved horns called "Novillos" who you can wrestle (only crazy people do this).

In case you are wondering, the bulls who are released into the streets and eventually make it to the bullring are the ones who will feature in the bullfights later that afternoon.  The bullfights are very bloody and quite gory.  I used to be a fan, but not highly recommended for more than one viewing...try and get a seat in the shade.  The music at bullfights are quite good.

So, thats my advice - hope it helps!

Also, Pamplona is a good city to shoot off from to see other great cities in the north: Bilbao (great Museum - Guggenheim), Santander and St. Sebastian (great beach towns!).  Enjoy

Answer 2

Nope, but you have to be careful. The locals train beforehand. Only the tourists are stupid to run after nights of partying. Practise a bit and be alert on the day.