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This totally chaotic event has its own particular rules of behaviour despite
the fact that it seems like something wild and out of control. There are
certain facts to keep in mind before you go in at the deep end on your first
run. Here are some practical hints to help you come out the other end safe
and alive. The
daunting step of entering the course is not just a question of jumping
over the barricade at any place along the route. You should look for an
official "gate", for example, either in the square of the Town
Hall or in the Market Square. The streets where the running takes place
are cleared of people during the final hour before the start of the run.
The local municipal police are responsible for this task, and they don´t
have much tolerance for anyone climbing over the barricades in the wrong
places. Look for a proper entrance point. (Some useful information: be
careful. By this time the local police are not in the mood for jokes).
Making the
run while on a drunken spree is totally out of order: It´s just
plain stupid and a danger both to yourself as well as to others.
Be aware
of what's going on around you: When you are running, keep a constant eye
on the distance between you and the bulls. They can be on you before you
know it. At the same time, be aware of the runners in front of you, particularly
fallen runners who can easily trip you up. Look for the place where you
plan to pull out of the run. It becomes quite hectic and complicated in
a very short space of time.
Don't try
to catch the bulls' attention. This is highly dangerous. In theory, the
bulls don´t want to tangle with anyone. They just want to get out
of that tight enclosed route as quickly as possible. If they are not distracted
by anything, they will follow a straight path all the way to the ring
and their corrals. But if you distract one of them, and it becomes separated
from the group, things could quickly get deadly serious and come to a
dangerous end.
Making any
attempt to catch the bull's attention tends to arouse the anger of the
other runners so that, even if the bull doesn´t take any notice
of you, it's likely that the other runners will, and you could end up
being a punching bag for the irate runners because this kind of behaviour
could cost the life of someone.
Should you
trip up on the run-STAY DOWN. A trip-up is more than likely to happen
for a number of reasons. As we have said, the bulls don´t particularly
want to tangle with anyone. If a bull sees a fallen lump in front of him,
he´s likely to step on it or over it and keep going. The others
will do the same and that´s that. You´ll probably end up with
a few bruises, but nothing more serious than that. But, if you try to
get up or move away, this could cause the bull to notice you. Even worse,
you might stand up right in the path of the running bull, and he could
go through you as cleanly as a knife cuts through butter. This, in fact,
is what happened to a runner killed in the 1995 run.
So, should
you have the misfortune to fall or trip up, stay down, hugging the ground
without moving except to cover your head with your hands. When the stampede
has passed, someone will give you a tap on the shoulder to let you know
you can get up safely.
Don't try
to run behind the bulls. A lot of people seem to want to keep running
even after the bulls have passed them by. The danger in this is that it
could possibly distract a bull who might notice a movement behind him
and turn back.
Don't attempt
to touch the bulls. The bulls should never be touched even in the slightest
way, as this is another potential risk in attracting their attention.
Don't stand
still during the run. When everyone starts running, you must run too.
If not, you could cause others to fall or trip up against you. If you
want to be a spectator, stay on the other side of the barricade. The only
reason to cross over that fence is to run the "Encierro".
Fan out when
you enter the bullring. Spread out when you pass through the entrance
to the ring and head for the barriers round the edge of the bullring.
In this way you will help and not hinder the "dobladores" -
experts in leading the bulls- and the shepherds or "pastores"
do their work of guiding the bulls into the corral. Should you find yourself
in the middle of the ring, you may be right in the path of the bulls who
can move much faster than you, and you will be in a totally defenceless
situation.
Don't disturb
the "dobladores" and "pastores". These people are
responsible for getting the bulls into the corral as quickly as possible.
The quicker they do it, the less danger there is. Its also worth remembering
that some of them tend to carry long thin rods and a swipe from one of
those could hurt more than the bruise from a bull stepping on you.
Don't carry
anything on you when you run. If you can´t find a safe place to
leave your backpack, video camera or whatever, then just forget about
the idea of participating in the run.
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