First Running of the Bulls at San Fermín 2026: Fuente Ymbro Delivers a Fast and Clean Run

 

Pamplona woke up on July 7 to one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the bullfighting calendar: the first running of the bulls at San Fermín 2026. The Fuente Ymbro bulls opened this year's festival with a fast, thrilling run that ended without any gorings.

The morning once again filled the streets of the Navarrese capital with the unique blend of respect, tradition, and adrenaline that has made the San Fermín bull runs world famous. In this opening race, the herd stayed tightly grouped throughout most of the course, creating an exciting yet well-controlled run.

A Fast, Compact Run Without Gorings

The six Fuente Ymbro bulls completed the course in 2 minutes and 16 seconds, remaining closely grouped behind the steers from start to finish. Their cohesion helped keep the race flowing smoothly while reducing the risk of more dangerous incidents.

As is common on the opening morning of San Fermín, there were several falls and tense moments, particularly in the busiest sections of the route. Even so, the medical report was encouraging: several runners were treated for bruises and minor injuries, but none suffered goring wounds.

A Runner's Experience: "For Two Minutes, Nothing Exists but the Bull"

Anyone who has taken part in a San Fermín bull run knows that spectators only witness part of the experience. The rest lies in the nervous anticipation, the silence before the starting rocket, and the few unforgettable moments spent running alongside the bulls.

One experienced runner described it this way after finishing the race:

"You wait for a long time with your nerves on edge. The moment the rocket goes off, everything else disappears. You only hear the pounding of the hooves, feel the ground shaking beneath your feet, and try to find your place alongside the herd. For two minutes, nothing exists but the bull. When you finally reach the bullring, you understand why you come back every year."

That feeling captures much of what makes running in Pamplona so special. It is not simply about running ahead of the bulls, but about respecting the tradition, understanding the route, and accepting that every meter requires composure, awareness, and courage.

Fuente Ymbro Opens the Feria del Toro

The bulls featured in this morning's run will be fought this afternoon in the opening bullfight of the 2026 Feria del Toro. The lineup includes Daniel Luque, Víctor Hernández, and Aarón Palacio, officially launching the bullfighting program of this year's San Fermín festival.

Fuente Ymbro's bulls provided a serious, clean, and exciting opening run that set the tone for the days ahead in Pamplona.

Pamplona Fully Embraces San Fermín

With this first running of the bulls, San Fermín once again demonstrated why Pamplona holds a unique place in the world of bullfighting traditions. The city experienced a fast-paced and thrilling race with a positive medical outcome.

The Feria del Toro has only just begun, with seven more bull runs still to come. At TaquillaOficial.com, you can follow all the latest news from San Fermín 2026 and find bullfighting tickets for the Feria del Toro in Pamplona as well as many other major bullfighting events throughout the season.