San Fermín in Spain: first running of the bulls successfully completed

This Friday the first running of the bulls of San Fermin took place in Spain. Early in the morning, local time, the bulls from the La Palmosilla ranch were led into the bullring by the runners.

Before starting the race, the runners sang the traditional song to San Fermín, who gave them strength and luck from his niche in Santo Domingo Street. With the firing of a rocket, the pen was opened and the first bulls of the festivities were released.

According to local media, during this first race, there were several falls and stomps. Its duration was quite short: about two minutes. The pavement in the city of Pamplona, capital of the region of Navarra, was wetter than normal and this caused some falls.

Pamplona is a medieval old town, with narrow streets that form the traditional circuit that is repeated every year to take the bulls from the pen to the bullring. In the afternoon of the same day, the bullfight will take place with these mimosa bulls.

At least six people were taken to the hospital, according to the Red Cross. All from bruises and falls, with no bull goring. There were some friction scares. Injuries are common in this festival, most of them occurring during the races. In the history of the Sanfermines, 16 runners have died during the festivities.

The festival, one of the most popular in Spain and well known in the United States. It officially began on Thursday, with the so-called "Chupinazo," a small rocket launched from the town hall of Pamplona. The festivities will last until July 14. They will end at midnight of this last day, when the revelers of the fair sing "Pobre de mí" in the same square where it all began nine days earlier.