Run for your life

Run For Your Life

It’s 6:00 am. I am standing in a cobblestone street with thousands of people who, from the smell of it, are still a little bit drunk from last night’s festivities. 8:00 am. I hear a rocket go off in the distance and the crowd starts moving down the street.

What have I gotten myself into?

We start at a slow jog and I have no choice but to follow suit. I have never felt more like a lemming in my entire life. There is a palpable tension in the air. It feels as though we may actually be running towards the edge of a cliff. I look at the faces around me, a mix of cultures and ages from everywhere around the globe. Everyone nervously smiling. No one quite knowing what to expect.

A second rocket fires off in the distance behind us. I had been told what that meant, and by the sudden surge in speed that followed it, my running mates knew it too - the bulls have been released! The pace picks up a bit now. At this point people are doing the quick step, and I have no idea what’s behind me. What I do know is that if I stop, I get trampled. Not an option.

A couple more minutes pass and a sense of urgency comes over the runners. I feel a wave of panic swell up against my heels and I stumble. The fear of certain injury forces me to reach out to the people around me to steady my run.

I am back on my feet.

I am at full stretch now. Sprinting down the narrow streets of this medieval city. I have not seen a bull and in truth, I don’t care to. I gauge the bulls' proximity to me only by the looks on the faces of the people lining the streets and the speed at which the people around me are running. If these are any indication, there must be a bull right up my ass at this point.

My heart is pounding out of my chest.

I turn a corner and see the gates of the bullring. Almost home. I run through the gates and see some men starting to close the doors. Another indication that the bulls must be nearby. A few more steps. Almost there.

The roar of 20,000 spectators greets me as I enter the ring. Hands over my head in triumph, I embrace their cheers as a reward for surviving the gauntlet. Thirty seconds later, the bulls run into the ring and straight out through a gate on the other side. I guess they were farther behind me than I thought. It doesn’t matter. Like a good horror movie, the suspense was enough for me.

Running of the Bulls. Check.

Tips for Those Daring Enough to Run

Tip #1: DON'T TOUCH THE BULLS!
You will see that many people are carrying rolled up newspapers. I don’t know the rationale behind it, but the locals frown upon touching the bulls. Use the newspaper to touch them or distract them. One traveller tried to mount one of the smaller bulls in the ring and he was dragged out by the locals and given a sound beating.

Tip #2: Have your wits about you.
The run starts early, so make sure you aren’t still drunk form the night before. It is a very hectic and fast paced environment. If you fall or stumble, you are at grave risk of getting injured. Make sure you know what’s going on around you at all times.

Tip #3: Respect the locals.
Sure there is a party atmosphere, but respect the locals. The citizens of Pamplona are very warm and welcoming, but remember that you are in there city and you should act in a way that you would want them to act in your city.

Tip #4: Let go!
There are lots of people all crammed into a small space. Be open minded and go with the flow. If you are in good spirits you will find that everyone is your friend.

Want to see the Running of the Bulls? Check out our 2012 Running of the Bulls tour and start planning!

Interested more in the history and beauty of Spain? Try our 14 day Highlights of Spain tour or our 8-day Northern Spain by Bike tour.

Hasta luego!

• List Results
• Detailed Results

Trip	Country	Days	Style	Service Level	Price
Running of the Bulls (ESRB)	Spain	8 days	Limited Edition	Standard	From $1999 USD	Map
Northern Spain by Bike (ESSB)	Spain	8 days	Active	Standard	From $1240 USD	Map
July 15, 2012 SAVE 20% $1549 $1239 USD

8 days

From $1999 USD

Trip Style:

Limited Edition

Service Level:

Standard

Physical Grading:

2

Running of the Bulls(ESRB)

Europe > Spain

Highlights

Soaking in the colour and spectacle of the San Fermin ...

Experience one of the world's most iconic and exciting festivals—Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls. Immortalized in literature by Ernest Hemingway, this explosive, passionate and occasionally gory festival is an important element of Spanish heritage. Witness all the mayhem from a coveted private balcony with a view of the famous run. Encounter Basque culture and stunning coastal scenery before continuing on to Bilbao, home of the magnificent Guggenheim Museum. From vibrant Catalan nightlife in Barcelona to the regional wines and pintxos in San Sebastian, feel the Spanish culture.

View Trip View Map

8 days

From $1240 USD

Trip Style:

Active

Service Level:

Standard

Physical Grading:

3

Northern Spain by Bike(ESSB)

Europe > Spain

Highlights

Cycling through glorious countryside, learning about Catalan culture and customs, ...

Encounter the beauty of Catalunya's countryside and its rustic towns on this compact and active bike tour. Designed for the weekend cyclist, this itinerary is challenging enough to get the heart pumping but comfortable enough that you can still appreciate the crystal clear streams, ancient walled cities and stunning Mediterranean coastlines of the Pyrenees. Journey across volcanic landscape to ancient towns where you can recharge with culinary delicacies before winding down on the beaches of the Costa Brava. Experience the beauty of Spain and cycle through its heart!

View Trip View Map

July 15, 2012 SAVE 20% $1549 $1239 USD