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Dow Who? Pamplona's Bulls Still Charging

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 7, 2009 11:21 AM CDT

(Newser) – Thousands of daredevil tourists have descended on Pamplona, Spain, for the annual running of the bulls that began today. Four were injured on the first day, including one American, though nobody was gored. As Time reports, sprinting ahead of six half-ton angry bulls is pretty dangerous, but many injuries result from slipping on cobblestones or knocking into other runners.

Bulls have been run from corral to bullfighting ring in Pamplona since 1592, though people didn’t join in until the 19th century. Ernest Hemingway immortalized the tradition in The Sun Also Rises, in which he mentions the secret of many runners’ bravery: copious wine and sangria. There hasn’t been a death since 1995, when an American was gored after he broke Pamplona’s cardinal rule: If you get knocked down, don’t try to get up.

No one was gored today, but four people were hospitalized with bumps, bruises or scrapes, according to the Spanish Red Cross.
No one was gored today, but four people were hospitalized with bumps, bruises or scrapes, according to the Spanish Red Cross.   (AP Photo)
Revelers are chased by ranch fighting bulls on the first day of the running of the bulls during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain today.
Revelers are chased by ranch fighting bulls on the first day of the running of the bulls during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain today.   (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
The festival, held since 1592, attracts tens of thousands of foreign visitors each year for nine days of revelry, morning bull-runs and afternoon bullfights.
The festival, held since 1592, attracts tens of thousands of foreign visitors each year for nine days of revelry, morning bull-runs and afternoon bullfights.   (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
A man falls during the running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona today.
A man falls during the running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona today.   (AP Photo)
Thrillseekers sprinted through Pamplona in a swift and relatively clean start to the running of the bulls.
Thrillseekers sprinted through Pamplona in a swift and relatively clean start to the running of the bulls.   (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Revelers run on Estafeta Street as people look on from the balconies during the run of the Alcurrucen fighting bulls at the San Fermin festival, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Tuesday, July 7, 2009.
Revelers run on Estafeta Street as people look on from the balconies during the run of the Alcurrucen fighting bulls at the San Fermin festival, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Tuesday, July 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
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