THRILL SEEKERS Why the Fatal Attraction?

Running of the Bulls

"The crowd is four deep at Sixto's on Pamplona's  Calle Estafeta, and the noise level is a steady roar, " noted one report."  The talk is multilingual-Basque, Castilian, English." Crowds gather early to watch the event. Bulls kept for bullring fighting are housed in corrals only a half mile from the arena.

On the mornings of the fights, the corral gates  are thrown open, releasing six bulls, plus one in reserve, that will fight that night.  The street is lined with buildings, and barricades block entrance to side streets.  This makes a suitable passage way for the bulls' run to the arena, which will take them about two minutes if all goes well. 

Years ago men, defying disaster, decided to try their skills at outrunning bulls. Every years some still try it. Over time it has become an international event.  Many have been severely injured by the bulls, and others gored to death.  "If you think you can outrun them," said one runner, "you're making a big mistake."  In a 20-years period, according to the Spanish Red Cross, there was "an average of one goring injury each day." Another 20 to 25 people were also treated daily for injuries.

Why this fatal attraction?  Answered one runner:  "Those seconds when you're right up there with the bulls, pacing them, smelling them, hearing the clatter of hooves, and watching those horns go up and down a few inches away-that's what the [running] is all about."  The runners are spurred on by the cheering crowds.  Will some be disappointed if they do not witness a fatal goring or a runner being violently thrown over the shoulder of a 1,500-pound charging bull?  Could blood-shed hold the same attraction for some of them as it did for the crowds in Roman arenas?  

Next time: THRILL SEEKERS Why the Fatal Attraction?/Flirting with Death

From the Awake! magazine