A running of the bulls like before: fast, long and dangerous

USPA NEWS - The second running of the bulls of the Sanfermines 2022 was fast, albeit long, and dangerous. It lasted 3.10 minutes, mainly due to the delay accumulated by one of the bulls that, at the curve of Mercaderes and Estafeta streets in Pamplona, a 90º turn, collided with the fence, fell and, when getting up, was facing in the direction contrary to the march of the herd. Disoriented, it had to be a runner who guided him until he faced Estafeta Street, where, many meters ahead, the herd ran.

This Friday, the 850-meter route between the corrals and the bullring was full of runners, in greater numbers than the day before, eager to immortalize themselves next to a bull, between its horns or running ahead of the animal. Especially on Estafeta street, where the bulls could hardly advance due to the large number of runners that occupied the street. There, the danger of this second confinement and the miracle that it ended without injuries from bull horns. All the contusions assisted by the health emergencies were due to blows, falls and pushes from other runners. None serious, according to the medical report offered by health officials.

The running of the bulls started slowly, although it picked up speed as the herd progressed. It was compact until the curve of Mercaderes with Estafeta, where two bulls collided with the fence and fell to the ground. One of them got up and continued walking, but the other remained disoriented, focused on the path he had come from, and indecisive. It was an experienced runner who directed him towards Estafeta street, which leads to the bullring, where his packmates were already running.

One of the bulls in the herd had gone ahead and was running alone. He was the first to enter the bullring, while four others and the meek ones who clothed them followed him. A little later, the lagging bull entered the bullring, where he moved aimlessly until he was led to the corrals by the shepherds who monitor the movements of the herd every day. By the time that last bull entered the pens, 3:10 minutes had passed, a hundred seconds longer than the day before.

But the second running of the bulls had the epic that is expected of the running of the bulls in Pamplona. Many runners, a divided herd and danger lurking in every meter of the route with the bulls' horns just inches from the runners. Once again, the intervention of San Fermín, the patron saint of Navarra, prevented the report of injuries from being more serious. Finally, none of them was injured by the bull's horn and all were treated for blows, falls and pushes from other runners.

A large public in Pamplona

With the arrival of Friday, Pamplona was filled with people not only in the running of the bulls but also in all its streets. After the running of the bulls, the bars in the downtown area were filled with people eager to enjoy Navarrese gastronomy and wines. Also the park of the capital of Navarra, near the church of San Lorenzo, from where, the day before, the procession of the patron saint San Fermín had departed, overflowed with people willing to enjoy the gastronomy of other Spanish regions, because in that place the regional houses located in Pamplona set up their stalls.

The capital of Navarra expects a weekend full of visitors, which increases the danger of the running of the bulls. According to veteran runners, the massive influx of people who want to take photos in front of the bulls, at serious risk to their lives, makes it difficult for professionals to run. However, this massive influx reflects the interest that the Sanfermines arouse throughout the world.