For many, the thrill of running with a dozen one-ton beasts and thousands of adrenaline-crazed people is enough reason to participate in this exciting tradition.  Because injury and death can occur in this event, be sure to consider it thoroughly and if you choose to run, be sure to prepare.

Anyone over 18 years of age may run with the bulls. Of the nearly 1 million people who come to Pamplona for each Festival of San Fermin, thousands participate in the bull run as hundreds of thousands watch.

The most important things to know:

• Running with the Bulls is not a race. You don’t have to be fast or in top athletic shape to run it. In fact, it is not possible to remain ahead of the bulls throughout the entire run. Besides the throngs of people slowing you down, the bulls are simply much faster creatures.
• If you fall, stay down! Stay down until somebody taps you on the shoulder, signally you to clear out. The majority of injuries occur while trying to get up from a fall. The bulls will jump over you, and may trample you, however this is much preferable to an angry bull thrashing you with his horns.
• Stay sober and rested. Running drunk is dangerous to yourself and others. If you fall you risk getting trampled and tripping other runners. To run safely you will need a clear head. Save drinking for the days when you are an enthusiastic spectator.
• Talk to an experienced runner. It is important to hear advice from experienced runners. Walk the course with them and learn which sections are most dangerous (like the legendary Curva de Estafeta).
• No distractions. It is forbidden to run with a camera. Also, it’s not a good idea to run with friends because this can cause possibly fatal distraction. You want to be focused, independent and clear-headed.
• Enter at proper entrance points. Jumping over the barricades is forbidden and dangerous to say the least.

The actual running of the bulls takes place every morning at 8am, July 7th - 14th. If you intend to run, you should be at the running area by 7.30am. The course runs through the narrow cobblestone streets of the old part of Pamplona, from the corral where the bulls are kept to the bull fighting stadium. It takes about three minutes to run the 825 meter course from start to finish.

If you run, definitely take time to read the OFFICIAL RULES AND ADVICE and to talk to somebody experienced - because you don't want to end up in this situation:

Choose one of the follow sections and take time to learn about it:

1. Santo Domingo. This first section is up a slope and is about 280 meters.  It is considered one of the most dangerous sections when entering the square.

2. Plaza Consistorial-Mercaderes. This 100 meter stretch has a double bend, however there are plenty of places to duck into for protection and the runners have more space.

3. Bend of Estafeta. The famous bend at the start of Calle Estafeta causes the bulls to slip and crash into the barrier at the outside of the turn.  Always take the inside of the turn to avoid getting caught up with the slipping animals.

4. Estafeta-Bajada de Javier. This is a popular stretch on a slight incline.  It is long and narrow.  Doorways offer the only protection to get out of the run.

5. Bajada de Javier-Telefónica. This section tends to be dangerous because the bulls slow down and can get separated.

6. Telefónica. In this stretch there are wooden barriers that begin to narrow.  The bulls are tired and dangerous things happen when they get separated from the herd.  This is a popular place of the “divinos” (the divine: the famous, experienced runners).

7. Lane. This narrow funnel is especially dangerous for human pile-ups! 8 of the 14 deaths have happened here.

8. Bullring. The bullring can be dangerous because of inexperienced people.  People tend to relax and show off.  Let the dobladors do their job and guide the bulls to their boxes.

The encierro is an unforgettable experience for onlookers and, even more so, for those running with the bulls. This event involves high risk, and participants should be physically fit.