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Pamplona:
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The Run/Course
The run is the centerpiece of the festival, and you’ll need to be prepared for it whether you’re a runner or a spectator. The information that follows should arm you with everything you need to know for a safe and exhilarating adventure.
Stages of the Run
We've broken the run down into three stages. Each stage can be measured in average time, number of heart palpitations, or frequency of adrenaline spikes. Whichever way you count it, there are six hard-charging bulls breathing down your neck. So move!
History of the RunBeginning on July 7 and continuing each day of the festival, the Fiesta de San Fermín features a bullfight in the Plaza de Toros – and for a bullfight, you obviously need some bulls. The bulls, however, are not raised or housed in the Plaza de Toros, so they need to be ransported there. The night before each bullfight, the bulls are moved from their farms into a corral a short distance from the Plaza de Toros, and from there are led to he bullring on the morning of the bullfight. Originally, the bulls were simply herded through the streets by their drovers, with locals gathering to watch along the route. But over the years, more people took interest in this procession, which generated more excitement, which in turn meant that the walking eventually turned to running. The number of participants also grew over time into what now amounts to thousands of people who run with the bulls each day, and thousands more who watch and cheer for them (and the bulls) from the sidelines. Read more The CourseThe bulls are housed each night in a corral about 825 meters (1/2 mile) away from the Plaza de Toros. Every morning at 8am, the bulls are released from their corral and led along a set course through the streets of Pamplona to the bullring. If you plan on participating, we suggest walking the course the night before to understand the route and be better prepared for the run. If possible, it’s a good idea to have an experienced runner guide you through and give you pointers. The course is broken into the following segments: Calle de Santo DomingoThis street marks the point where the runners gather and the pandemonium begins. The initial stretch leads the bulls from their corral up Santo Domingo to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, where they’ll make their first turn left onto Mercaderes. Santo Domingo is considered the most dangerous part of the course because the bulls sprint out of their corrals and run very close together. In fact, it is on this street that most injuries occur. Read more Calle de MercaderesMercaderes is a very short street that leads to a sharp right turn onto Calle Estafeta. This second turn is another treacherous corner that often trips up the bulls, and subsequently the runners. Traditionally, the bulls tend to run on the left side of the street and, because they can’t get enough traction with their hooves on the cobblestone, they have a difficult time making that sharp turn. The result can be chaotic and dangerous as bulls slip and fall into walls and people. Read more Calle de la EstafetaThe longest stretch of the course that leads to the finish line, Estafeta is a straight path on which the bulls pick up speed, gain ground, and eventually overtake the runners. Read more Telefónica
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Time,
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ChupinazoOpening Ceremony 
BullfightsDaily Spanish Tradition 
Plaza AbiertaNightly Concerts 
FireworksNightly Competition 
Procession
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Festival of San Fermín 2012
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NeighborhoodsAccommodationsTransportation |
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