For some, the day at Pamplona’s San Fermin festival begins with an adrenalin-pumping bull run through narrow streets. For others, the runs are the exhilarating climax to an all-night street-party.
With the launching of the “chupinazo” firework rocket July 6, Pamplona erupts into a nine-day, non-stop festival that attracts tens of thousands of tourists from around Spain and the world each year.
Many come to test their bravery and speed by dashing with six fighting bulls along a narrow 930-yard (850-meter) course from a holding pen to the city’s bullring. The bulls are killed by professional matadors in bullfights each afternoon of the festival.
Ten people, including four Americans, were gored in this year’s festival in Pamplona, but no one was killed. Dozens were injured in falls — or by being trampled by beasts or fellow runners — during the two-minute sprints. Fifteen people have died from gorings since 1924.
The festival, named after the northern city’s patron saint, dates back to the late 16th century. It was immortalized in Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel “The Sun Also Rises.”
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In this Wednesday, July 8, 2015 photo, revelers run chased by ‘El Tajo y La Reina’ ranch fighting bulls as they turn Estafeta corner during a running of the bulls of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain. Revelers from around the world arrive in Pamplona every year to take part on some of the eight days of the running of the bulls. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
In this Monday, July 6, 2015 photo, revelers cool off with water throwing from a balcony during the launch of the ‘Chupinazo’ rocket, to celebrate the official opening of the 2015 San Fermin Fiestas, in Pamplona, northern Spain. Revelers from around the world kick off the festival with a messy party in the Pamplona town square, one day before the first of eight days of the running of the bulls glorified by Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel “The Sun Also Rises.” (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
In this Monday, July 6, 2015 photo, revelers hold up traditional red neckties during the launch of the ‘Chupinazo’ rocket, to celebrate the official opening of the 2015 San Fermin fiestas in Pamplona, Spain. Revelers from around the world turned out here to kick off the festival with a messy party in the Pamplona town square, one day before the first of eight days of the running of the bulls. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
In this Monday, July 6, 2015 photo, revelers open their mouthes as they wait to cool off with water thrown from a balcony to celebrate the official opening of the 2015 San Fermin Fiestas, in Pamplona, northern Spain. Revelers from around the world turned out here to kick off the festival with a messy party in the Pamplona town square, one day before the first of eight days of the running of the bulls. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
In this Wednesday, July 8, 2015 photo, people watch as El Tajo y La Reina fighting bulls and revelers run during the running of the bulls, at the San Fermin festival, in Pamplona, Spain. Revelers from around the world arrive to Pamplona every year to take part in some of the eight days of the running of the bulls. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
In this Tuesday, July 14, 2015 photo, revelers run alongside Miura’s ranch fighting bulls during the daily morning running of the bulls of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain. Revelers from around the world arrive in Pamplona every year to take part on some of the eight days of party and the running of the bulls. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
In this Monday, July 6, 2015 photo, a flaming fake bull “Toro de fuego” runs after revelers during the 2015 San Fermin fiestas in Pamplona, Spain. Revelers from around the world turned out here to kick off the festival with a messy party in the Pamplona town square, one day before the first of eight days of the running of the bulls. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
In this Saturday, July 11, 2015 photo, participant runs in front one ”Jose Escolar Gil” fighting bull alongside Mercaderes street, during the fifth running of the bulls, at the San Fermin Festival, in Pamplona, Spain. Revelers from around the world arrive to Pamplona every year to take part in some of the eight days of the running of the bulls. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
In this Monday, July 6, 2015 photo, revelers are sprayed with water as they celebrate during the launch of the ‘Chupinazo’ rocket, to celebrate the official opening of the 2015 San Fermin fiestas in Pamplona, Spain. Revelers from around the world turned out here to kick off the festival with a messy party in the Pamplona town square, one day before the first of eight days of the running of the bulls. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
In this Monday, July 13, 2015 photo, Spanish bullfighter Juan Jose Padilla performs with a Garcigrande ranch fighting bull during a bullfight of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain. Revelers from around the world arrive in Pamplona every year to take part on some of the eight days of party and the running of the bulls. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
In this Wednesday, July 8, 2015 photo, workers carry a dead bull during a bullfight of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain. Revelers from around the world arrive in Pamplona every year to take part on some of the eight days of the running of the bulls. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
In this Tuesday, July 7, 2015 photo, revelers with their clothes covered on wine rest during the San Fermin festival, in Pamplona, Spain. Revelers from around the world arrive to Pamplona every year to take part in some of the eight days of the running of the bulls. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
In this Thursday, July 9, 2015 photo, French bullfighter Sebastian Castella performs with a Victoriano del Rio ranch fighting bull during a bullfight of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain. Revelers from around the world arrive in Pamplona every year to take part on some of the eight days of party and the running of the bulls. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
In this Saturday, July 11, 2015 photo, a ”recortador” jumps over a bull during a competition at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain. Revelers from around the world arrive to Pamplona every year to take part in some of the eight days of the running of the bulls. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
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