Running at Pamplona

At about 7.30am, the police group together all the runners into groups, to allow the remainder of the course to be swept and washed.

Running at Pamplona

If you're not on the course by this time, you may be turned away. Come back tomorrow!

Running at Pamplona

Course inspectors, erm, inspect the course! Allow the police and the officials through or you'll get turfed out.

Running at Pamplona

Like this guy did!

Running at Pamplona

Once the officials are satisfied with the course, the runners are allowed to space themselves out ahead of the run.

Running at Pamplona

When the first firework is fired, this means that the pen is open and the bulls have started to run. Many first-timers also start to run at this point. This is the second safest thing to do (after not running at all), but you run the risk of never actually seeing a bull!

Running at Pamplona

When the second firework goes off, this means that all of the bulls are out of the pen. Even more runners pick up their pace at this point.

Running at Pamplona

When the bulls appear, now really is the time to start running!

People often fall. If you fall, stay down and protect your head. Someone will tap you on the shoulder when the coast is clear. Do not, under any circstumstances, stand up and think you can get to safety, however scared you are. Standing up will make you an obstacle for everyone else - someone will likely trip over you and land on top of you, which means you'll never get away from the stampede. Better to lie as flat as possible and keep out of everyone's way.

Another load of (tamer) bulls are released. Though not as angry as the first lot of bulls, they're still big and in possession of sharp horns! Keep out of their way.