92/100... bull run - no, not that one

Have you ever wanted to see something first-hand even though you knew you weren't going to like it? That was my dilemma when I put Run With the Bulls (#92) on my "100 Things in Arizona" list. I was reasonably sure I wasn't going to like it - and perhaps not for the reason(s) you might think - but felt like I had to see it for myself.

Just about everyone has heard of the running with the bulls event in Pamplona, Spain.  The practice began over 400 years ago when bulls were herded down a street from a pen to the bullfighting ring. At first just the drovers led the bulls, then the butchers guild wanted in on the action and began running behind the bulls with the drovers. Pretty soon young men joined in the fracas running not behind the bulls like everyone else but in front of the bulls. And before you could throw a red flag on the ground, a new adrenaline-surging "sport" was born.

Today, every year from July 7th through the 14th, tens of thousands of people crowd into the town of Pamplona for a festival called Sanfermines, a tribute to Saint Fermin, the patron saint of Narvarre (the district Pamplona is located in). The bull running event is very traditional beginning with a benediction in front of the statue of Saint Fermin. Runners dress in traditional garb - white shirt and trousers with a red waistband and neckerchief. They also carry that day's newspaper rolled up to use to distract bulls who get too close. Runners are not allowed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Between 200 and 300 people are injured annually and since 1924 (when record keeping began), 15 people have been killed (mostly from goring) with the last fatality in 2009. The run ends in a bull pen where the bulls are used in bull-fighting and by day's end are killed.

Bull running became popular in several US states, including Arizona, beginning in the 1980's. Advertised as "the adrenaline rush of a lifetime," 50 runners dash ahead of a dozen bulls for a quarter mile. Participants must initial every paragraph and sign every page of a seven-page waiver, get a medical clearance from a doctor and show proof of medical insurance before they can compete. And make no mistake, it is a competition as runners are scored on how much "contact" they have with the bulls, how close they stay to them, etc. with the winners receiving cash prizes.

The 2012 Running With the Bulls event was held in Cave Creek in October and we arrived prior to the first run at 9:00 am. Rather than a somewhat dignified event like in Pamplona, we found a party-like atmosphere with costumed people lined up at the beer, wine and tequila vendors.

The mechanical bull was a popular spot for most of the contestants. Besides alcohol vendors, crafters and home businesses also had booths giving spectators something to do between runs.

Officials with rifles patrolled the event. I was told they were there in case a bull "got out of control." Other event employees included cowboys, announcers and camera people.

We were not interested in drinking alcohol at 9:00am or in the craft booths so we checked out the bulls. About 50 bulls were corralled in several pens with food and water available. The cowboys seemed to know them all by name as both bulls and cowboys travel around the US doing these events.

These guys looked pretty mellow... sweet, even. 

Unlike the bulls in Pamplona which have long, pointed horns, the bulls used in the events in the US have had their horns cut and filed. But make no mistake, they can still inflict considerable damage. And some looked pretty ornery.

This old guy looked like he wasn't taking any bull from anyone.

And these crazy bulls kept fighting with each other. I think the spotted one made a snide comment about the brown one's nose ring. Yeah, they talk trash to each other. Really.

Finally it was time to get started. The first group of 50 runners paraded around the track, showing off their costumes. Each runner pays $25-35 per run (and most run more than once) or $75 for the day. 

We watched two runs. Runners also get points for their costumes so most everyone had a costume of some sort. Some were quite elaborate, some were home-made, some seemed dangerous (one guy had on a crayon costume and could barely run). 

The first group of runners lined up at the start line. BANG! the shot rang out and the race was on. Runners started running and then six 1,500 pound bulls were released behind them. After 20 or 30 seconds, six more bulls were released.

Nearly every runner had a handheld camera or one mounted on their body somewhere. And some of the bulls had cameras taped to their horns - I guess that's how the promoters get videos for their advertising.

If a runner felt in danger or wanted to "escape," he (or she, in this case) could climb over the fence into an empty area just for them. This girl never came back into the race/chase.

The first race was over in about a minute and a half. Several people were injured; three badly enough to be taken to the hospital in ambulances. Yes, paramedics and ambulances are waiting on site. Oh, and remember that "sweet-looking" black bull without horns at the beginning of this post? He injured two of the people taken to the hospital. One of the cowboys told me he has a bit of a chip on his shoulder, probably because the other bulls give him grief over not having horns. It seems bulls are like books; you can't judge them by their covers.

The girl on the left with the bandage on her leg is the one that climbed over the fence. She was just treated at the scene. The girl climbing into the ambulance was going to the hospital with her friend. I couldn't help but wonder how much of an "adrenaline rush" they were feeling now.

Entertainment was provided in between the runs. Some entertainers were bands, some were rodeo clowns. In between the first and second runs was midget bullfighting, which we assumed were miniature bulls. WRONG!

It was a BIG bull and a little bullfighter. (And I thought "midget" was politically incorrect...)

This bullfighter was a world-renowned midget bullfighter from Mexico. The bull knocked his flag to the ground; the bullfighter tapped the bull on his head and the fight was over. Unlike "real" bullfights, this bull was not killed and no blood was shed.

Now it was time for the second run. Runners took their places, the shot was fired and they were off. And then the bulls came.

You hear the bulls - their hooves thundering on the ground - before you see them. Runners try to open a path for them while still staying close.

Still pictures and words can only describe so much. 

Animal rights groups like PETA protest against bull running claiming it is inhumane and endangers the bulls. From what I could see, the bulls are well cared for and certainly not in danger. The runners, on the other hand, are not well cared for. Many of them were more than just a little tipsy. Allowing runners to drink alcohol, even encouraging it, and then run with 1,500 pound bulls is endangering their safety. Yes, they signed waivers. So the promoters are safe from lawsuits.

The bull runs in Pamplona are part of a week-long festival honoring the patron saint of the town. There is a reason to do them: tradition. It is a serious event. Yes, people get hurt and even die but precautions are taken to make it as safe as possible for the runners. In contrast, in my opinion, bull running in the US is just a money-making game with an excuse to drink and party.

I think it's inconsistent that there are laws to prevent us from driving while intoxicated for our safety as well as the safety of others, but running with grown bulls while intoxicated - putting both yourself and potentially others in danger - is not illegal. I guess one is a misdemeanor or felony while the other is "entertainment" or "sport."

Thumb Up or Down: DOWN!! Don't encourage this kind of behavior!

Miles Round Trip: 81.9 miles

Miles To Date: 10,325.5 miles

Percent of List Completed: 91%
Date of This Trip: October 20, 2012