First running of the bulls of San Fermín | The Fuente Ymbro bulls break loose in Santo Domingo, revealing the weaknesses of the runners during this stretch.

The Fuente Ymbro bulls waged war on their own in the first running of the bulls of the San Fermín festival : for much of the route, they ran separately, without seeking the company of the herd, the group with which they feel protected. It all began with the fall of two black bulls in the middle of the group at Santo Domingo , in one of the narrowest sections of the running. The tumble of the bulls was monumental, and Tramposo , the only chestnut in the herd, found himself right there with them. The runners were very bad at that moment: one of them caught the attention of one of the Fuente Ymbro bulls, who nearly changed the direction of the race. Calling him off from behind is reckless not only for oneself, but also endangers the other runners. The other runners made no attempt to pull the bulls up the hill; they remained passively in place. Fortunately, the inertia of the running of the bulls kept the bulls moving.

Previously, the steers had taken center stage, overtaking several young men due to the speed of the race. As has been the tradition in recent years, few saw a bull in these first few meters, at least until the break in the race.

The passage through the Town Hall Square and through Mercaderes was a rosary of bulls, of large, powerful bulls, separated from each other by a few meters of cobblestones.

Upon arrival at the Estafeta, three bulls were surrounded by four steers. Behind them, the other three were straggling, but galloping away, with no risk of the bull being released. That's where the war between the most experienced runners began, those seeking to literally get between the horns. Watching the slow-motion images, it all looks like a harmonious dance with waltz music playing in the background. But no, on the ground, there was no courtesy, not a trace of the 3/4 beat of a waltz: it was all shoving, bumping, and a lot of violence caused by the speed.

The arrival at the Telefónica section proved to be one of the most surreal of the running of the bulls, with numerous young bulls on the right side of the route pushed, jostled, or forcefully caressed by the fine horns of the Fuente Ymbro bulls. It's hard to understand how there aren't a single goring in that section, given the sheer intensity of the Cadiz bulls. Here, again, three bulls in front and another three behind, with a very noble and determined attitude.

The race ended in two minutes and 37 seconds, and the provisional injury report indicates six people were taken to hospital for bruises, none from bull horn injuries.