← Back to FAQs

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.