Five runners were injured Tuesday during the first encierro of the 2026 San Fermín festival in Pamplona, Spain [1, 2].
The event marks the traditional start of the festivities, drawing global attention to the risks and cultural heritage of the bull run. Because the encierro is a high-profile opening event, the number of injuries and the speed of the animals often set the tone for the rest of the festival.
The run began at 8 a.m. local time on July 7, 2026 [2, 3]. The bulls, provided by the ganadería Fuente Ymbro, traveled the 848-meter route from the corrales de Santo Domingo to the Plaza de Toros [2, 4].
Officials said the duration of the run was 2 minutes 16 seconds [1]. This time was faster than the run recorded during the previous year [1]. The increased speed is attributed to the reputation of the Fuente Ymbro bulls for rapid running [1, 2].
Among the five injured participants [1], three were taken to the hospital for medical treatment [1]. The remaining two were treated on-site. The route remains one of the most dangerous traditional events in Spain due to the narrow streets, and the speed of the animals.
“Five runners were injured Tuesday during the first encierro of the 2026 San Fermín festival”
The speed of the first run suggests a high level of aggression and momentum from the Fuente Ymbro bulls. When the opening encierro is faster than the previous year's, it often increases the risk of collisions and goring for participants throughout the remainder of the festival's morning runs.
