[imagesource:runningwiththebulls/x]
It’s that time of year again when thousands of thrill-seekers from all over the world risk life and limb to run with the bulls.
The 2024 Pamplona Bull Run continues the legacy of one of Spain’s most thrilling and historical events, The San Fermín Festival’s bull run, held annually from July 6-14.
Every morning, six bulls are released from their corral and race through the narrow alleys of the old town towards the bullring. Participating locals and foreigners then risk their lives by running ahead of the bulls, hoping to avoid getting crushed or gored.
The simple yet crazy tradition is both an exhilarating and dangerous spectacle and has captivated onlookers for decades. This year is no different, with six people hospitalised on the first day alone.
Several people were injured on the first day of the Pamplona bull run.
The traditional bull run takes place every morning during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain.
Watch more videos: https://t.co/8xyWy2cBPY pic.twitter.com/S0FA3KadnI
— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 8, 2024
The event originated from the traditional practice of bringing bulls from their breeding areas outside the city to the bullring, where they were slaughtered in the evening. Local kids would jump among them during this “run” to show off their courage. In Pamplona and other places, the six bulls that run also engage in the bullfight that afternoon.
Every year, between 50 and 100 people are injured during the run. To minimise the risk of injuries, a doctor and a nurse are deployed every 50 metres along the route, with most of the 200 medical helpers being volunteers, mainly from the Red Cross.
View this post on Instagram
Running bulls (@pamplona_fiesta)Fortunately, it’s not all running and screaming from the horns and hooves, and the entire city descends into a party atmosphere for the festival.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Despite the popularity of the annual event, there have been growing calls for bullfighting to be cancelled. Every year during the festival, animal rights activists stage protests to highlight the inhumane way most of these bulls are killed in the bullring.
Six people have been already injured at the 2024 #RunningOfTheBulls event in #Pamplona, including one person who was gored. pic.twitter.com/FBvQTW7VpV
— PETA UK (@PETAUK) July 8, 2024
The popularity of the event means that the run will likely continue, although it would be nice if the bulls didn’t have to be slaughtered after trampling their way over all the tourists.
