TORONTO – Made famous by U.S. writer Ernest Hemmingway’s novel The Sun Also Rises, thousands flock to northern Spain to take part in the annual Fiesta de San Fermin festival in Pamplona.
Thrill-seekers test their bravery by running alongside fighting bulls through the streets of the Spanish city.
The bulls used in the centuries-old fiesta can weigh up to at 625 kilograms. Bulls have killed 15 people since record-keeping began in 1924.
The festival runs from July 6-14.
Here’s a look at 10 of the most beautiful photos from the Running Of The Bulls festival so far.
Revellers enjoy being sprayed with water from a balcony in Ayuntamiento square, in Pamplona, northern Spain on Saturday, July 6, 2013, as they celebrate the start of Spain’s most famous bull-running festival with the annual launch of the “chupinazo” rocket. AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos
Gigantes perform during the Comparsa de Gigantesy Cabezudos ‘Giants and Big Heads parade’ on the fourth day of the San Fermin Running Of The Bulls festival, on July 9, 2013 in Pamplona, Spain. Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images
Revellers run with fighting bulls at Calle Estafeta during the fourth day of the San Fermin Running Of The Bulls festival, on July 9, 2013 in Pamplona, Spain. Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images
Revellers run with fighting bulls at Curva Estafeta during the third day of the San Fermin Running Of The Bulls festival, on July 8, 2013 in Pamplona, Spain. Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images
Bullfighter Alberto Lopez Simon puts on his hat before performing with Alcurrucen’s fighting bulls in the bullring during the second day of the San Fermin Running Of The Bulls festival on July 7, 2013 in Pamplona, Spain. Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images
People standing on balconies look at participants as they run in front of Alcurrucen’s bulls during the first bull run of the San Fermin Festival, on July 7, 2013, in Pamplona, northern Spain. Pedro Armestre/AFP/Getty Images
Revellers run with fighting bulls at Curva Estafeta during the fith day of the San Fermin Running Of The Bulls festival on July 10, 2013 in Pamplona, Spain. Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images
A Toro del Fuego (flaming bull) is run through the streets of Pamplona on the fourth day of the San Fermin Running Of The Bulls festival, on July 9, 2013 in Pamplona, Spain. Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images
Revellers kiss on the street in the early hours ahead of Dolores Aguirre’s ranch fighting bulls running on the third day of the San Fermin Running Of The Bulls festival, on July 8, 2013 in Pamplona, Spain. Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images
Revellers are sprayed with water thrown from balconies during the launch of the ‘Chupinazo’ rocket, to celebrate the official opening of the 2013 San Fermin fiestas, Saturday, July 6, 2013 in Pamplona, Spain. Daniel Ochoa de Olza /AP Photo
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