The Running of the Bulls
The running of the bulls is the highest profile event of the San Fermin festival which is held from July 6-14 every year. Eight encierros will take place over the course of eight days. Search more photos of the event tagged #sanfermin or #pamplona.
Yesterday at 8 AM and again today, the running of the bulls took place in Pamplona, Spain. Runners start each encierro singing a benediction at the statue of the event’s patron saint San Fermín, shouting together “Viva San Fermín!, Gora San Fermín!” (“Long live San Fermin”, in Spanish and Basque). A rocket then signals that all six bulls had been released and the 826 meter sprint begins.
Runners must be over 18 years old and traditionally carry that day’s rolled up newspaper in hand to draw the bulls’ attention. Every year, between 200 and 300 people are injured and 15 people have been killed since record-keeping began in 1924.