If running with the bulls in Pamplona is on your bucket list, then you are in the right place!
Before making my trip to the Fiesta de San Fermin in 2018 to run with the bulls, I spent months planning and researching everything I could. After all, this is running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. You want to make sure you do it right.
The bad news. Even with reading every resource online about hot to run with the bulls, when I got there I was completely unprepared. The online wright-ups seemed to leave out some “key” information leaving us scrambling to figure it out in the starting shoot at 7:00 am,
The good news. We figured it out and had a blast! We (literally) ran with the bulls into the stadium, made the tv broadcast (see pics), and I even let the bull jump me when entering the stadium. A feat made famous by Earnest Hemingway. I also ran the next day with another friend and did none of that. Leading me to one very important statement…
There are different ways to run with the bulls.
Below is the definitive guide on How to Run with The Bulls in Pamplona Spain – Fiesta de San Fermin as of 2018.
Step 1. Pick Your Dates
The Festival de San Fermine begins: July 6; 12 p.m. (noon, bulls start running the 7th) and ends: July 14; 12 a.m. (midnight). The first day and weekends are the busiest and tend to be the most dangerous do to the larger number of people. More people equales more obstacles. We chose a week day for that very reason. They also run a different stock of bulls everyday, with some known for being more dangerous which can also be something to take into account.
Step 2. Book Your Hotel & Travel
The public transportation in Pamplona is amazing. Buses run non stop, so don’t feel you have to over pay to be right next to city center. Just follow all of the people dressed in white and red. They will be there at the buss stops and all over the Pamplona 24/7 during the festival. We booked at the Hotel Burlada, a hostel with affordable rates for the area. We stuffed into the room but had no problems as we spent most of our time experiencing the entire experience that is San Fermine. You’ll also need to figure out how you are getting to Pamplona but I’ll leave that to you. I highly recommend spending at least 2 night, the night before and the night after you plan on running.
Step 3. The Day Before Your Run
By this point you should be in Pamplona or on your way. We took the day before to explore the course. Starting with the bull corral and making our way through the course coming up with what we though was our plan. Here is the question we should have been asking;
Do you want to run with the bulls into the Stadium?
Running into the stadium is the most dangerous part of the course. Once you enter the stadium’s tunnel there is no turning back. Deciding if this is what you want to do upfront is important. You need to position yourself correctly on the course from the start or you will not make it into the stadium. They close the gates after the bulls have all entered the ring. The bulls run the (just over) 800 meters of uphill slick cobblestone with sharp turns and crowds of people in an average of 2:30 minutes. Do not underestimate their speed. By the time you see them through the crowd it is almost too late. Keep reading below and I’ll outline how to get into the stadium.
Step 4. The Starting Corral
You need to be in the corral by 7:30 am when they close the entrance, They are very strict about this. You will also be pulled if you look too drunk or have a camera out. Any person that held up a go pro was quickly removed by unmarked police… they were everywhere.
The race starts at 8am and marked by a series of four rockets. A first rocket is set off at the start of the race at 8 a.m. to alert the runners that the bull corral is open. A second rocket signals that all six bulls have left the corral. The third and fourth rockets are signals that all of the herd has entered the bullring and its corral respectively, marking the end of the event.
This is also where you going to want to get into position based on where you want to be on the course. If you are looking for a relaxed running with the bulls experience stay in the starting runners corral or move into the street where the bulls are coming from. It’s a straight shot. Don’t go too far down the hill you can easily make the quick run back into the runners starting corral and jumping into the crowed to the left. The bulls tend to take that turn wide creating a large “safe space.” This is where I stayed the second day when a friend that didn’t run the first day.
Now if you’re looking to make into the stadium this section is for you. The runners starting corral is closed at 7:30am, then around 7:45-7:50 they will start opening the course in small sections at a time. You will see the crowd start to flow onto the course and this is where you need to start heading. Keep pushing forward (not everyone will), stopping then proceeding as they gradually open blockades along the course. You need to go as far as they will you in this process hoping to be in the lead pack pushing along the police line waiting for that first rocket.
Step 5. Running With the Bulls
Me high-stepping a bull that tripped on the guy behind me.
It’s an interesting situation. You’ve been waiting for this for moment for who knows how long and the urge to just run is pumping through your body. This is where you need to calm yourself. You have 1:30 seconds until all hell breaks lose. Steady your hands and move slowly forward sticking to the right side of the rail. Use your hands to feel for other people, they will be panicked pushing tripping, falling etc. The police will keep yelling at you to move but don’t go too fast. Entering into the stadium before the bulls (unless they are on your butt) is frowned upon and you’ll be greeted with boos and jeers. Walk forward with your head on a swivel, making sure you are not in the center of the road. At this point find a crack of people to wedge with on the wall do you have some protection before you look back and wait. You wont have to wait long.
Looking back, all you will see is a wall of people… no bulls. This wall of people will look thick and frantic and it is then you need to be calm. Without a moments notice the wall will break and BULLS! This is where you need to run… and run fast. They will be on you and pass you in the center so stay to the side. If you see in the pics, I got into the center and if not for the bull tripping on the guy behind me I could have been in a bad situations. Next is the entrance to the Stadium. Here the course narrows and the safety of fences to jump over/under are exchanged for solid concrete walls, there is no escape.
Sprint to the light at the end of the tunnel. Be careful, at the entrance t the ring are great in the ground large enough for people to crawl into. People tend to trip here and create a mound of people so be prepared to jump. Both my friend and I had to clear a group of people after one person fell laying horizontally across the stadium entrance in the fetal position.
Entering the ring is like nothing I’ve ever felt before but don’t forget there are bulls running in behind you. Make your way to the sides until the 6 bulls have been cleared and then bask in the glory. The crowed will be roaring and in that moment you will know why you did such a crazy thing.
Step 5. Enjoy the Party!
Enjoy that moment. The party is about to begin with them releasing bulls into the ring for the crowds entertainment chasing down and knocking runners. You can leave the stadium ring at any time but I chose to have one final moment before leaving.
After we left the stadium the party began! Enjoy everything Pamplon has to offer because the San Fermine festival itself is an incredible experience. The party goes 24/7 for the entire festival with people eating,drinking, and sleeping in the park. Our entire group decided we would love to come back when we are older and just enjoy a few days of the festival.
So I hope this helps and if you have any questions feel free to comment or shoot me a message @runbryanrun!
