It’s July 7th and the festivities of the San Fermín Festival are well underway. Today is the first Encierro, the famous running of the bulls.

The tradition is said to have begun in North-eastern Spain in the early 14th century when farmers would transport their cattle to the market. In an attempt to expedite the process the men would spur the cattle on by frightening them. This eventually turned into a competition in which them men would race in front of the bulls, spurring them on, and hopefully making it to the pens before being gored.

Over the years this run has turned into a tradition in which thousands of participants pack the cobblestone streets of Pamplona, eager to outrun 6 terrorizing bulls along a narrow 800 meter course ending at the Pamplona Bullring.

Photo Credit:  Leo Smith Photos / gaucho74

Encierro Facts:
The fastest running of the bulls: 10/07/1997  2 min 15 sec,  23.3km
The slowest running of the bulls: 10/07/2000  5min 10 sec, 10.16km
Average time of the running of the bulls: 3 min 17 sec, 15.98 km
Average number of gorings suffered in a running of the bulls: 2.1
Average number of wounded in a running: 25.3 

¡THE RESULTS ARE IN!

The first running of the bulls at this year’s fiestas in Pamplona went off without a hitch this morning.  The bulls used in this morning’s run come from the “Torrestrella” bull farm in Cádiz and are known in for being some of the most vicious of the festival.  In nine past appearances in Pamplona they have been responsible for 22 gorings and one death.  Today, however, the bulls made a clean and speedy track through downtown Pamplona to the bullring.

The Bulls of Torrestrella
•    Venadito, 537 kilos.
•    Alegrita 470 kilos.
•    Aguafría, 600 kilos.
•    Rabadano 535 kilos.
•    Chupado 565 kilos.
•    Toledano 610 kilos

Today’s Running
Duration: 2 minutes 30 seconds
Pavement: Dry
Classification: Quick and Clean
Number of injured: 4
Number Gored: 0