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The air-conditioned comfort of a hotel shuttle is a far cry from the heat and sweat of a mob formed for Spain’s renowned Running of the Bulls, which is why it is important that you know what to expect even before you chime in with the crowd. The Running of the Bulls isn’t limited to one city in Spain. There are a lot of encierros (aka bull runs) in various parts of the country as this is one of the more cherished traditions. But if you really want the biggest, most exciting and most adrenaline-pumping encierro of them all, then you’ll want to go San Fermin during its seven-day festival – scheduled to run from the 7th to the 14th of every July. One of the more important things you need to know about San Fermin’s Running of The Bulls is that it’s dangerous, but rarely fatal. There have been only 15 deaths in the encierro since records have been kept in 1924, with the latest being in 2009. There are, however, about 200 to 300 injuries each year, mostly minor contusions due to falls. The run itself follows a very particular course and schedule. Just like a hotel shuttle picks you up at a specific time and deposits you at your hotel at another specified time, so too do the bulls get released at a very specific time – 8:00 AM. The first sign that the run has started is when you hear a single firecracker go off. This is the signal the bulls have been released from the pen. The second firecracker signals to the crowd that the bulls have begun chasing the runners. Your best bet, if you want to take part in the run, is to watch the crowd around you. The people nearby will know when best to run, so keep a sharp eye out for what they’re doing. When running for the first time, remember to stay at the tail-end of the line. You don’t want to run the whole 825 meters if you don’t what the heck you’re doing. Callejon and Plaza de Toros are good places for a first-timer to start, so check with your hotel shuttle service to see if you can find lodgings or transportations near these areas. The biggest threat you’ll face isn’t actually the bulls – it’s tripping and getting trampled by either the bulls or other people running away from the bulls. Stay very far away from larrikins that reek of alcohol, as most injuries occur because people are too drunk to know what they’re doing. Of course, you’ll also want to stay sober yourself for obvious reasons. It is highly recommended that you spend your first trip to San Fermin simply watching the encierro. Mind you, this is far from boring – the atmosphere is absolutely tingling with energy, and merely watching the bulls rush by as they chase the runners is enough to get your heart pumping the first time around. In the meantime, make sure you coordinate with your hotel shuttle service to plan ahead for your participation in the run. Whether you want to watch or run, the advice they’ll provide will prove invaluable in maximizing your enjoyment during the Running of the Bulls! Lukas Johannes is a driver for Hotel Shuttle. If you’re looking for a hotel shuttle, we provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, we can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.
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