First bull run of San Fermin festival in Pamplona

Thousands of daredevils ran, skidded and tumbled out of the way of stampeding bulls

Last updated: July 07, 2025 | 17:27

2 MIN READ

Participants run with the bulls during the first "encierro" (bull-run) of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain.

AFP

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Participants arrive in the bullring followed by cows and bull keepers after the first "encierro" (bull-run) of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 7, 2025. Thousands of people every year attend the week-long festival

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It was the first of nine morning runs or “encierros” during the famous celebrations held in the northern Spanish city of Pamplona.

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Thousands of spectators watched from balconies and wooden barricades along the course.

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Six bulls are released at 0800 am local time everyday to run from their corral to the bullring through the narrow streets of the old town over an 850 meters (yard) course while runners ahead of them try to stay close to the bulls.

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Most runners wear the traditional garb of white trousers and shirt with red sash and neckerchief.

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Many people are bruised and injured in falls and pileups with each other. Medics rush in to treat the injured and take the seriously hurt to a hospital.

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Up to 4,000 runners clad in white with red sashes surged forward, chased by six formidable fighting bulls.

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