There’s a tradition in Pamplona, Spain that takes place every July known as the Festival of San Fermin. In the heat of summer, people travel from far and wide to participate in this week-long celebration of Fermin, the city of Pamplona's Patron Saint. A celebration, that includes wearing all white, save for a red scarf or bandana.
Oh, and not to mention, being among hundreds of people running in front of bulls charging through the streets beginning at 8 a.m. each day of the festival.
But if you’re unable to make it to Spain to experience the Festival of San Fermin in person, that’s OK. The West Florida Roller Derby has once again teamed up with Seville Quarter and local organizations to bring the running of the bulls closer to home.
“It’s our 13th year, and we’re calling it our lucky 13,” Running of the Bulls event organizer Jama Metcalfe said. "I've done it off and on over the last 13 years, and somehow I ended up in charge of it this year."
Even though it is her first year organizing the event, Metcalfe is taking the bull by the horns and facing the opportunity head on, as it comes with being part of the team.
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"Everybody on the derby team has to have a job," Metcalfe said. "Whether that's organizing our games, game production, or coordinating with other teams to set the schedule, setting up the rink before a game, there's a million things that have to be done and everyone is expected to contribute."
When it comes to the Running of the Bulls, the entire community is invited to participate.
At 9 a.m. on July 20, wear as much white as possible and be part of hundreds of participants ready to run for dear life through the streets of downtown Pensacola, starting and ending at Seville Quarter, located at 130 E. Government St.
"We want runners to dress in white, with a red scarf or bandana," West Florida Roller Derby Marketing and PR Representative Emma Prater said. "That's what runners wear for the real Running of the Bulls."
It’s worth noting that this tradition was popularized by Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises. But while the book famously declares that you can’t get away from yourself by moving from one place to another, you can certainly expect to run from dozens of roller derby female skaters adorned in bull costumes as you make your way through the nearly two-mile course.
"It's a 1.8 mile course, and they can walk, run, skip, jog, whatever they'd like," Metcalfe said. "It's a fun event, it's not a race. The bulls are going to have fat bats. I have a very strict 'no skinny bat' policy, because the plastic bats hurt when they're the skinny ones, so we use the fat bats."
Though rest assured, the bats will be used on participants in a gentle, loving manner.
"We give little love taps, unless someone asks and says 'give it all you got,' we'll oblige," Metcalfe said. "And they can always take a break. If runners decide, 'oooh, not liking this,' they can jog up on the sidewalks. The sidewalks are a no-bull zone."
Whether they’re behind a gate near the starting line or grouped together around the corner waiting to ambush unsuspecting participants, "We have 35 bulls registered right now, coming from as far as Memphis," Metcalfe said. "So we're going to have a great turnout on the bull side of things, and we're the ones throwing the party."
According to Metcalfe, this level of support is common among the roller derby collective.
"We send out invitations to other leagues, and since it's such a small niche community we all support each other," Metcalfe said. "We'll go over to the New Orleans Bull Run and do theirs, and they'll come over here and do ours, so it's a very supportive community."
Even though the event starts in the morning, the average high temperature in Pensacola can top 90 degrees in July. Which means staying hydrated is a must.
A new feature this year are the "libation stations" coordinated by Mardi Gras krewes, where runners can get water, Gatorade and − if you're over 21 − alcohol.
"It originally started with, 'hey, would you like to set up a little water station along the way?' And they were like, 'just water? Can't we make it more exciting?' We said, 'sure, go for it!,'" Metcalfe said. "So there will be alcoholic drinks being served to participants with wristbands indicating that they're over 21."
Registration is $30, and participants may upgrade their experience to VIP for $50.
Basic registration includes the run, a t-shirt while supplies last, and entry into the afterparty, which includes a complimentary drink from Seville Quarter. The VIP package will include complimentary food options and access to the VIP area at Seville Quarter.
Proceeds from the event always go to a nonprofit organization or philanthropic cause, at the West Florida Roller Derby’s discretion. This year, the focus will be on them.
"This is the first year that this event is going to benefit West Florida Roller Derby," Metcalfe said. "We did not want this event to go away. The community loves it, we love it, so we decided to step up and make this our yearly fundraiser for the team."
Traveling, equipment and other expenses can add up, but most importantly, having the proper environment for lasting success.
"Our biggest goal is to secure a space for our practice and training that belongs to us," Metcalfe said. "And it would really open the doors for us to showcase women's sports."
Metcalfe further explained that it can be challenging working around multiple schedules to coordinate practice and training times.
"We love our home track, they've been very generous to us, but we're not their main priority," Metcalfe said. "So we want a space where we can train really hard and show people what we can do. We want a space where we can invite new skaters, work to get them on our level, so we can grow the sport in the southeast."
Registration for Running of the Bulls 2024 is now open. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/bullrunpensacola
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