The seventh running of the bulls at San Fermín 2026 in Pamplona left eight participants with contusions but no horn wounds. The Miura bulls led a notably fast, orderly encierro. ElCaso.cat journalist Orsolya Gazdagi summarized the tally as “eight injured, none by horn.” The reported bruises affected participants’ heads, arms, legs and faces; no serious incidents were reported during this run.
This year’s Miura herd, known for its imposing size and unpredictable temperament, covered the course in 2 minutes and 34 seconds. That was 18 seconds longer than last year’s record, largely because of an unexpected detour: before entering the pens at the bullring, the six bulls took a slow lap around the arena, pausing to observe the packed stands. The unusual moment extended the overall time but caused no additional injuries.
The absence of gorings applied to the seventh encierro, not the festival as a whole. Coverage of San Fermín 2026 also noted a serious goring during the fifth run, a horn injury in the sixth, and horn injuries on the final day.
Miura remains a central symbol of the San Fermín festival, making its 58th appearance in Pamplona, more than any other breeder. For the first time in a decade, Miura has not closed the festival. The decision was made by the Casa de Misericordia, which organizes the event. Established in 1842, the Miura lineage is renowned for producing large, heavy bulls. This year’s animals ranged from 605 to 635 kilograms and were known for their striking appearance and formidable horns. Despite their reputation, the bulls behaved calmly, moving efficiently through the old city’s streets while largely avoiding the crowds and noise.
The run began in the Santo Domingo corrals, where the alert bulls waited together for the starting rocket. Led by an experienced steer, the herd surged up the initial slope at high speed and stayed close together. The first section passed quickly, with runners pressed against the barriers and little time for interaction. At the Mercaderes turn, one bull slipped and briefly lost contact with the group, while others collided with the Estafeta boards; some even brushed against the image of San Fermín that many runners touch for luck each morning.
Estafeta Street saw fewer participants than on previous days, allowing for longer, more dramatic sprints alongside the bulls. The lead steer and five Miura bulls set the pace, and several runners managed to keep up for memorable stretches. In the final alleyway, a few runners fell but quickly escaped through the side gates, avoiding being trampled. The event ended with the bulls’ unusual lap in the arena, which drew the attention of locals and visitors alike.
The six Miura bulls, Merecido (630 kg), Mochuelo (615 kg), Gaditano (635 kg), Decoroso (635 kg), Famoso (605 kg) and Andaluz (605 kg), were scheduled to be fought that afternoon by matadors Manuel Escribano, Pepe Moral and Jesús Enrique Colombo. Held annually in Pamplona, the San Fermín festival is one of Spain’s most internationally recognized events, drawing thousands of participants and spectators. The encierro is known for its risks, strict organization and medical preparedness. Recent events in other Spanish cities have also highlighted the intersection of tradition and public safety, including when Seville authorities postponed the license for a major cultural project amid political tensions.
San Fermín’s encierros are a focal point of Spanish summer festivals, combining local tradition with international tourism. The Miura bulls’ continued presence reflects the enduring appeal of these historic customs and the challenges of maintaining them in a modern context. The absence of horn wounds during the seventh run marked a less severe outcome than other encierros during the festival.
