The Great Bull Run
Fifteen hundred pounds of pure muscle, running past you at speeds up to 35 mpg. Wondering what this could be? A stampede of bulls! No, this is not Italy this is Dade City Florida. The Little Everglades Ranch hosted Florida’s 1st annual The Great Bull Run. Spread across 2,050-acres, a quarter mile track was set up and hundreds attempted this adereline filled, and yes life-risking event. This is becoming more popular as they travel the nation helping people fulfill their dreams of running with The Bulls.
The Great Bull Run is one of the most chaotic, insane experiences anyone could possibly have. Running with bulls is dangerous and yet awesomely fun at the same time. Runners come from all walks of life and age groups. Some are dressed in the tradition all white like you see in Italy and everyone is giving the famous Red bandana. Although the majority are untouched this is very dangerous and if you didn’t think so before you arrived. Seeing the paramedics and stretchers on the either side of the rails reassured me. After a chanted salute to the bulls there is a count down and before you can catch your breath you feel the tension rise amongst the runners, look to my left or right and you see giant moving animals who are not concerned about your fear or excitement. They are moving with or without you.
Like all great time honored traditions, a little bit of beer helps calm the fear. The biggest problem is that people run without any knowledge of what to expect and adding alcohol to that, although entertaining to those who are watching, can make this more dangerous. Advice: “Don’t Drink & Run with Bulls.” Maybe the funniest thing to your friends carrying you to the hospital, but you’ll be sorry you attempted to try. And if your drunken love for bulls isn’t enough, The Tomato Royale may get you going. Tomato Royale is an all out tomato fight, every man & women for themselves.
I’ve never seen anything like this in my life; hundreds of tomatoes in 3-4 feet high waiting to be thrown in battle. People were told to squeeze the tomatoes before throwing them, that didn’t happen at all and our only protection was goggles. Tomatoes where flying across the filed like baseballs, it looked like a swarm of bee to those standing on the outside parameter. People were ducking, running for cover and diving into piles of tomatoes. One of the best & biggest food fight ever. Go to www.thegreatbullrun.com and look for an event near you.