PAMPLONA, Spain (AP) -- Thousands of thrill-seekers dashed ahead of six fighting bulls in the streets of the northern Spanish city of Pamplona on Thursday in a fast first running of the bulls in this year's San Fermin festival. No one was gored, but four people were taken to Navarre Hospital with injuries -- one with fractured ribs -- sustained during a sprint where the six guiding steers stole the show from the charging bulls from the Torrestrella ranch, which is famed for producing dangerous bulls. ( 26 images)
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A calf, used as a game to amuse revelers jumps to the arena after the running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival on Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Pamplona, Spain. Perhaps best glorified by Ernest Hemingway's 1926 novel "The Sun Also Rises," the San Fermin festival is known around the world for the daily running of the bulls. AP / Ivan Aguinaga
An image of Saint Fermin is carried through the streets of Pamplona, Spain Thursday July 7, 2011. AP / Ivan Aguinaga
An image of Saint Fermin is carried through the streets of Pamplona, Spain Thursday July 7, 2011. AP / Ivan Aguinaga
People sing traditional songs during a procession in the streets of Pamplona, Spain Thursday July 7, 2011. AP / Ivan Aguinaga
Polices officers control the march of revelers run on the Estafeta street before the start of the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, Thursday July 7, 2011. AP / Alvaro Barrientos
A tourist takes photos from a balcony at the Estafeta street before the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, Thursday July 7, 2011. AP / Alvaro Barrientos
Revelers run on the Estafeta street as one of them falls during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona northern Spain, Thursday July 7, 2011. AP / Alvaro Barrientos
Revelers run next to the Torrestrella ranch's fighting bulls during the running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival on Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Pamplona, Spain. AP / Ivan Aguinaga
Revelers are surprised by an angry leading ox, used to drive the fighting bulls during the running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival on Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Pamplona, Spain. AP / Daniel Ochoa de Olza
Revelers run next to the Torrestrella ranch's fighting bulls during the running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival on Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Pamplona, Spain. AP / Daniel Ochoa de Olza
Revelers run next to the Torrestrella ranch's fighting bulls on Estafeta street during the running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival on Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Pamplona, Spain. AP / Daniel Ochoa de Olza
Revelers run next to the Torrestrella ranch's fighting bulls during the running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival on Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Pamplona, Spain. AP / Daniel Ochoa de Olza
Revelers run next to the Torrestrella ranch's fighting bulls during the running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival on Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Pamplona, Spain. AP / Daniel Ochoa de Olza
Revelers celebrate the "Chupinazo," the official opening of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, Wednesday July 6, 2011 which is the start of Spain's most famous bull-running festival. AP / Alvaro Barrientos
Revelers hold up their hands as water is thrown from a balcony during the "Chupinazo," the official opening of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, Wednesday, July 6, 2011. AP / Alvaro Barrientos
Revelers take part in the "Chupinazo," the official opening of the 2011 San Fermin festival, Wednesday, July 6, 2011 in Pamplona, Spain. AP / Daniel Ochoa de Olza
A woman is held up by revelers at the "Chupinazo," the official opening of the 2011 San Fermin festival, Wednesday, July 6, 2011 in Pamplona, Spain. AP / Daniel Ochoa de Olza
Revelers take part in the "Chupinazo," the official opening of the 2011 San Fermin festival, Wednesday, July 6, 2011 in Pamplona, Spain. AP / Alvaro Barrientos
A reveler waves from a balcony protected with plastic as she celebrates the "Chupinazo," the official opening of the San Fermin festival in in Pamplona, Spain Wednesday July 6, 2011. AP / Alvaro Barrientos
Revelers react as water is thrown from a balcony during the "Chupinazo," the official opening of the San Fermin festival in in Pamplona, Spain Wednesday July 6, 2011. AP / Alvaro Barrientos
Revelers gather for the "Chupinazo," the official opening of the San Fermin festival in in Pamplona, Spain Wednesday July 6, 2011. AP / Daniel Ochoa de Olza
A man is held up by revelers, during the "Chupinazo," the official opening of the San Fermin festival in in Pamplona, Spain Wednesday July 6, 2011. AP / Daniel Ochoa de Olza
A reveler drinks wine during the "Chupinazo," the official opening of the San Fermin festival in in Pamplona, Spain Wednesday July 6, 2011. AP / Daniel Ochoa de Olza
Revelers hold up traditional red neckties as tens of thousands of people pack Pamplona's main square in Pamplona, Spain, Wednesday July 6, 2011 to celebrate the start of Spain's most famous bull-running festival with the annual launch of the "Chupinazo" rocket. AP / Alvaro Barrientos
Revelers hold up traditional red neckties as tens of thousands of people packed Pamplona's main square in Pamplona, Spain, Wednesday July 6, 2011, to celebrate the start of Spain's most famous bull-running festival. AP / Alvaro Barrientos
Revelers hold up traditional red neckties during the "Chupinazo," the official opening of the San Fermin festival in in Pamplona, Spain Wednesday July 6, 2011. AP / Daniel Ochoa de Olza
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