10 tips for the Bull Running (Part 1)

First of all there is to know that the bulls are very dangerous. A bull can kill you. Running with the bulls requires  to knowwhat´s the running itinerary, certain fitness level, coming to run havingrested and obviously, a little common sense. In addition to these four basicconditions, these following suggestions can be very helpful:

Itinerary Bull Running

1 – Find Out the Itinerary Layout before hand

If you want to run you have to access the itinerary before 7:30 am from the gates on the Plaza Consistorial (where the Chupinazo takes place).You mus stay at this plaza or at Santo Domingo´s Hill (Cuesta de Santo Domingo) until the police barriers will open. In that moment, you can place yourself at the point of the itinerary you have chosen to start the race. At 7:30 am all access will be closed and is forbidden to getout.

2 - Select in Advance the Section in which you will Run

Statistically, the most dangerous stretches of confinement are Alley-Plaza (where there have been eight of the fourteen fatal bull caughts) and the end of Santo Domingo, coming to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (three deads). Know also that the curve-Estafeta Mercaderes, where our balconies are located, should be taken from the right: the bulls slip andaffixed to the wall of the left, and more than one corridor has been caught offguard between herd and fencing.

3 - Choose your Clothes Carefully

Use comfortable clothes and shoes, and do not carry any packages with you. Backpacks,cameras and other objects are forbidden and be jeopardize your safety and thatof the other runners.

4 – Ask Advise to Experienced Runners.

The closure (encierro) poses a serious risk and overcrowding have made it even more dangerous. You learn to run after many years of practice.

5 -If you Fall, do not Get Up!

If during the race you hit the ground, do not get up until the whole herd has passed. If  you stay crouched and still, the bulls will pass by. Having that said, watchout for falls, as it is easy to trip and fall, especially in the days ofheaviest affluence of runners. In fact, most of the wounded are because of the contusions as they fall down. You have to go looking at the same time, forward, back and to the ground. Once you are already inside the herd, it is safer if you go attached to the bulls, which probably will any other runner in front will bother you.
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