The great bull run

Thousands descend on Pamplona for the annual San Fermin festival, where charging bulls, cheering crowds and rich tradition create one of spain’s most iconic spectacles.

1. Revellers erupt in celebration as the txupinazo, the ceremonial rocket, signals the start of the nine-day San Fermín festival in Pamplona. Drenched in wine and grape juice, they wave red scarves, sing, dance and chant, ‘San Fermin! San Fermin! San Fermin!’ — AP

2. Revellers racing alongside Victoriano del Río’s fighting bulls during the third running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona. The Victoriano del Río ranch is among Spain’s most renowned breeders of fighting bulls. — AP

3. Spanish matador Roman displays nerves of steel as he confronts a Jose Cebada Gago fighting bull during a bullfight at the San Fermín festival. — AFP

4. Bulls from the Victoriano del Río ranch thunder through the Mercaderes curve during the third running of the bulls. The highlight of the festival is the early morning bull runs, when thousands of runners sprint to avoid six bulls charging along a winding cobblestoned route to the city’s bullring. — AFP

5. Festival-goers line the route ahead of the famed running of the bulls during the San Fermín festival. Dating back to the late 16th century, the annual celebration honours Pamplona’s patron saint and attracts visitors from around the world. — Reuters