It lasted just a couple of minutes, and it was the exciting start to an event attracting thousands of revellers from across the world.

Many runners like this man dodged a bullet by evading specially bred fighting bulls chasing them along narrow streets in yesterday's first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona.

But while Reuters reported that the week-long event began without any gorings in the 21/2-minute dash through the northern Spanish city, five men were treated for injuries.

According to The Telegraph, the injuries included cuts and bruises to their heads and arms, and one of the runners may have a fractured skull.

Yesterday's 875m dash finished in Pamplona's bull ring. The festival is the most famous of many across the country.