Running the bulls on the street may seem an easy task for beginners...big mistake. The first think you should take into account is that two "running the bulls on the street" events are never the same.
Thus, the first thing to do is to analyse the route in order to identify possible difficulties.
You should never do it if you are not sure that you can Any route has, both curved and straight parts, and your behaviour must be different on each of these parts. When you decide to stop running or you need to hide within a straight part of the route, you must leave towards the side of the street that is opposed to that in which there is the highest density of runners/bulls.
If it is a curve, you must leave towards the most opened part of the curve, if it is not a narrow curve, or towards the inner part when it is narrow. It's necessary to take into account if the ground is made of construction materials (stoned or paved) or if its sand, as there are more chances in the first case that the bulls turn backwards, as they don't like the touch of hard ground and their instinct pushes them to move turn backwards towards a sandy ground.
It is also very important to take into account the type of fences and hiding devices, as they are the main refuge that the runner has when he is in danger.
The route is very important, and we must be very familiarised with it, as we may find:
Narrow Curves: you must always take them through their inner side.
Slopes: it is necessary to decide carefully when to start running, the best is to start running before you see the herd, and then progressively increase your speed.
Wideness of the streets: the wider they are, the more dangerous, as the bull will focus better his attention and may run "in line" behind the runner.
Length of the route: never attempt to run all the route, you must always set a distance and try to fullfil it with a sufficient margin.
Entrance into the Bullring: always, as you get into the bullring, you must fan out, being careful not to push anybody making him/her fall to the ground.
It is also important to know the type of fences that are used, as they are not always the same, thus we may find:
Vertical fence: it seems to be the best, still it is more dangerous than the horizontal type. Should you fall to the ground, there is no space between the fence and the ground to crawl into it, also people get into the space between the two protection fences, what makes it difficult for the runner to get in when he needs to hide from the bull. Also, the bull, when hitting against it may introduce his horn in it.
Horizontal fence: it is the ideal type of fence, for the reasons exposed earlier, but also due to its friendliness for the runner, as runners tend to throw themselves to the ground and hide by crawlling into the space between the fence and the ground.
Other types of fences: made of carts or planks. Usually this type of fences is not used any longer, as they were not appropriate, mainly due to two reasons: in the first place, they do not offer enough protection for the runner, in the second, the bull may easily skip out of the route.
A good runner must be calm, always keeping nerves under control. Before starting to run, it is necessary to decide which will be the right moment for starting to run, keeping an eye on the herd of bulls. There is danger when, for any reason, the herd is separated, as a well grouped herd is essential for making a good run. It is probable that, after the first parts of the route, some degree of chaos appears, with some bulls turning backwards, fences being pulled away by the bulls, and other dangerous situations.
When starting the race, it is important not to stand next to people who seem to be very nervous, as well as to calculate very well the distance that you want to run until the bull gets close enough to you. It is you who must decide how fast can you run. At the same time, with a quick view, you must analyse the behaviour of the runners in the part of the route that you are about to run, as the rest of runners' behaviour is one of the most dangerous elements in the race.
In general terms, there are four different types of runners:
A) The one that likes running very close or next to the bulls.
B) The one that likes to run at a certain distance from the bulls, the distance depends on his physical capacity.
C) The one that likes to run as long as possible and, thus, runs at a longer distance from the bulls.
D) The one that only wants to run for getting into the bullring.
TIPO A runners are high-speed runners, rather than long-distance runners, they have rapid reactions and know very well the part of the route that they plan to run..
TIPO B runners are the most frequent. Beginners are their main enemies, as, due to their lack of experience and how nervous they usually are, tend to cross in front of type B runners or push them with their arm, puttin them into a dangerous situation. Regarding the bulls, type B runners get in special danger when it is not the most calm bulls the ones that are leading the herd, as it is then difficult to get a reference regarding the speed and distance of the herd. Another risk that they face is not to get out of the run in time.
TIPO C runners must, in the first place, be sure that the herd of bulls is, in fact, already running, as it is a tradition, in some places, to make several false joke-alarms. The main risk that this runner faces, is to get obsessed with finishing the rout and not retiring in time.
Finally,TIPO D runners, those who only want to enter into the bullring, usually are scarey and lack experience, but do not pose too much danger for the rest of runners, as they are usually already within the center of the bullring before the herd of bulls reaches the entrance door.
Clothes is an important issue for all runners, especially in the case of those that will run very close to the herd of bulls. Short-sleeved tea-shirts are not recommended, as well as sporting trousers. Wearing long trousers and long-sleeved clothes avoids many injuries that could be caused by friction against the ground or the fences.
It is also recommended to carry a newspaper in your hands, as should there be a serious threat of being caught by a bull, throwing the newspaper towards its face will distract it for a moment...enough for you to hide or move to one side.
Shoes should be as light as possible. Never use leather soles, and make sure that your shoelaces are well tied.
Bulls usually have different behaviours throughout the route.
It's extremely important to know the rancher to which they belong, as this will indicate if the bull-running will be dangerous, clean, interesting or simple.
Dangerous. This type of running usually happens with bulls that belong to Domecq, Nuñez or Veragua's thoroughbreds. Bulls from Torrestrella, Martín Lorca, Cayetano Muñoz, José Ortega, Sánchez Ybargüe and Guadalest ranchers, among others, are usually very vivacious, paying attention to everything, and usually run "in-line" with the runner, very close to the fence.
Clean. Usually those of Cabrera, Gallarda de Miura or Partido de Resina thoroughbreds. These bulls run very fast, looking everywhere still without attacking the runners. When these bulls attack one runner it is usually because this was an obstacle in their way.
Interesting. Those of Santa Coloma thoroughbred, from ranchers such as Joaquín Buendía, Hernández Pla, La Ermita, Celestino Cuadri, La Giadamilla, JuanLuis Fraile, José Vázquez, Felipe Bartolomé, etc.
The runs of these bulls are always dangerous and interesting, they are very clever bulls, paying attention to everything and they learn very easily. They are very accurate when they attack.
Simple with some remarks. Usually the runs of the Domecq thoroughbred, a type of bull that we will find very easily due to the amount of ranchers devoted to this class of bull, such as Juan Pedro Domecq, Aldeanueva, Luis Algarra, Buenavista, El Pilar, Jandilla, Las Ramblas, José Luis Marca, Victoriano del Río, Zalduendo, Daniel Ruiz and a large etc. These bulls turn the run into a pretty simple event, always taking into account that minimum level of danger that can be expected from this type of runs.
DANGER is always present, but very especially when a bull stays behind the herd, a typical reaction of this type of bulls, as it is the moment when the bull is most dangerous and successfull, aiming carefully and starting the attack only when he is sure to succeed.
Running of bulls, one by one: this is a type of run where the runner keeps more control on what is taking place, thus it doesn't require to be so careful. In general it is a slow run, as the bull, running alone, is permanently distracted, standing still when he steps on soft ground. This type of runs become slow and even boring for those that are not taking part in the run, even more for those that are waiting in the bullring. These bulls become more dangerous for the bull-fighter.
Runnings with 2 or 3 bulls: this type of runnings tend to break, as it is impossible to achieve a well-grouped herd, as a result of each bull jumping at different rythms from his box, thus there will always be a bull ahead and another behind.
In the full running, with 4 or 6 bulls and some bullocks, in the same stockyard, with the cowboys pushing them constantly, the runnings usually take place all in one, intensively and, without any doubt, with much more danger.
1.- Due to a high concentration of runners.
2.- When a runner tries to stand up after a fall.
3.- When runners don't fan-open just after they get into the bullring.
4.- Accidentally, when several runners disturb one each other.
5.- When people that are not running get into the bullring through the entrance door. They usually wear inadequate clothes and shoes, as well as shoulder bags, that operate as an obstacle for themselves and the runners.
1.-Consider your shape and physical conditions: they are a guarantee when you are facing the bulls.
2.-Do not drink alcohol or have other substances before the running. To run with low faculties implies a risk for you and for the rest of runners.
3.-Choose a part of the route that is in accordance with your capacity. Don't try to be a heroe.
4.-To run close to the bulls horns is one of the goals of the running. This priviledge is just for well experienced runners. Be careful when getting close to the bulls. Even if you run less than you initially expected, you will get a thorough feeling of the risk involved in running.
5.-Do not obstacle the fences. Once you have jumped over one, get away so other runners that come behind you can do the same.
6.-Respect runner-free areas.
7.-Do not stand in front of the bulls to sidestep them in the last moment.
8.-If you feel tired during the run, get out of the way.
9.-If you fall to the ground, just in front of the herd, don't get up. Stay on the ground covering your head with your hands.
10.-Take the curves through their inner side: you will advance much more with less effort.
11.-As soon as you get into the bullring, fan-open with respect to the rest of runners.
12.-Follow the cowboys' instructions: they are the running's managers.
13.-The "dobladores" will be in the bullring ready for locking up the remaining bulls. Let them do their job, don't disturb them.