Bull Run FAQ

1. When do the bulls run and how often?

2. How long is the Bull Run (encierro)?

3. How many bulls are there?

4. Can anybody run?

5. How dangerous is it to run?

6. Do the bulls get hurt?

7. I want to run with the bulls. How does it work?

8. Can I watch the Bull Run (encierro) from the bullfight arena (Plaza de Toros)?

9. What happens after the Bull Run (encierro) is over?

1. When do the Bulls run and how often?

The Bulls run every day from July 7th through July 14th at 8 a.m in the morning.

2. How long is the Bull Run (encierro)?

The course has a length of 826meters (0.5 miles) and the bulls take between 2.5 and 6 minutes to run it depending on whether they are separated or not. In the case that the pack gets separated a bull will have to be guided by expert runners into the bullfight arena.

The Bull Run (encierro) start is on Santo Domingo street and finish is in the Bullfight arena (Plaza de Toros) at the end of Estafeta street.

View map of the Bull Run

3. How many bulls are there?

In total you will see 12 animals. There are 6 bulls which can be recognized immediately by their darker coloring, either black or brown. At a closer look you can also tell them apart because they are not castrated. The other 6 bulls are actually steers, recognizable by their lighter coloring, usually white and brown spots. The purpose of the steers is to keep the whole pack together and to calm down the bulls. The steers run every day and know the course well. Steers are harmless which means, they will not try to gore you. If you stand in their way however, they may bump into you.

4. Can anybody run?

Anyone 18 years and older is entitled to run with the bulls in Pamplona. However, the police is very vigilant and will immediately pull out anyone who breaks the rules, either before or during the Bull Run (encierro). The most important rules include:

• No drunks
• No electronics (photo or video cameras, phones, mp3 players etc.)
• No high heels
• No touching of the bulls (even though some people do this it is seen as disrespectful to the animal and will be punished by aficionados and the police alike)
• Anyone who stands in front of the start line will be removed from the Bull Run (encierro) course at 7 a.m.. The line is on Mercaderes street so that anyone between Santo Domingo and the beginning of Mercaderes will be eligible to run. There will be many people lining up in Estafeta street but they will all be disqualified. Runners are given time to spread out in the whole course before the the Run starts. Before 7 a.m. however, you must wait behind the start line. The purpose of this is to limit the total number of runners.

5. How dangerous is it to run?

The chances of being hit or gored by a bull in the Pamplona Bull Run (encierro) is relatively small. However, being hit results in injuries ranging from bruises to goring (the bull’s horn piercing the body) and death. Death usually occurs when the horn digs into a runners lungs. There is no guarantee for avoiding collusion with a bull. Sometimes people get hit even when they are pressed into a doorway. You never know what catches the bulls attention and makes him turn, suddenly. The death toll since 1910 is 15 men, including a man who suffocated to death in a pile-up of runners.

Besides the bull there is a likelihood of being trampled on by other runners. This is quite frequent and can result in serious injuries if runners pile up high. The worst bottleneck is the entrance to the Bullfight Arena (Plaza de Toros) which should be avoided, especially because there is no escaping from the bulls either. Dead Man’s Corner is also a dangerous spot that should be avoided by first time runners.

6. Do the bulls get hurt?

During the Bull Run (encierro) the bulls usually do not get hurt. They may bruise themselves if they slip and fall. In the evening then at 6 p.m., the bulls are killed during the bullfights in the bullfight arena (Plaza de Toros). Particularly brave bulls may be pardoned by the audience and let to die a natural death but this rarely ever happens.

7. I want to run with the bulls. How does it work?

1. Get in line behind the cut-off/start line on Mercaderes street. The curve at Plaza Consistorial where the Txupinazo Opening Ceremonies take place, is a good location. Try to be there by 7 a.m. the latest or you risk not finding a spot.
2. Around 8 a.m. you will have a chance to move around the course and get into position. First time runners usually fare well with Estafeta street because it is comparatively “easy” with its straight, even ground. The end gets more densely packed than the beginning.
3. Wait for the gun shots. The first shot tells you that the gates have been opened and the bulls are running. The second one, that the last bull has left the corrals. Many people will start running at this point even though the bulls are not in sight. If you get to the bullfight arena way before the bulls be prepared to face a laughing audience.
4. When you see the bulls run ahead or alongside them. Get out of their way when you are tired. Do not try to touch the bulls and avoid holding on to other people. It is regarded as disrespectful and unprofessional to distract the bulls by touching them. Avoid running with your head turned backwards because that is how pile ups happen.
5. If you want to run into the arena you have to be fast because the gates close behind the last bull. The gates are located at Dead Man’s Corner and at Telefonica.

8. Can I watch the Bull Run (encierro) from the bullfight arena (Plaza de Toros)?

Yes, it is possible to watch the runners and bulls enter the arena from the Bull Run. Just walk to the bullfight arena early in the morning to gather a seat before the Bull Run (encierro) at 8 a.m.. After a balcony spot, this is the second best option for watching running of the bulls.

9. What happens after the Bull Run (encierro) is over?

Immediately after the Bull Run (encierro) heifers (vaquillas) are released in the bullfight arena (Plaza de Toros). They will chase all the runners who made it into the arena. It is less dangerous to be hit by a heifer, especially because their horns are taped. However, they can cause damage and one man has been paralyzed from being hit.