PAMPLONA, Spain - A Canadian woman was trampled and a bull lost its horn as hundreds of daredevils hurtled through Pamplona with six half-tonne bulls in pursuit at the first full day of Spain's San Fermin fiesta on Thursday. The bull running, where six bulls are set onto an 825-metre course through the city centre as part of the annual week-long party, has killed 15 people since 1910. Women rarely run and for years were forbidden from doing so but this year 19-year-old Canadian Alexandra Popovska, risked her skin. Hospital spokeswoman said her injuries were not serious. A 33-year-old local man was also injured.

One animal, chasing a runner who was leaping over a fence, became wedged underneath it. After about 15 seconds -- a long time in a less than 3 minute run -- a daring runner yanked free the huge groaning beast, which then charged down the street, scattering runners in its path. The bull fell at one of the most dangerous spots where local authorities had covered the cobbles with an anti-slip spray. It then fell again and arrived at the end of the course with one of its huge horns dangling, leaving it unfit to face a matador in the traditional evening fight.

Hundreds of thousands of tourists, mainly from the United States and Australia, come each year to the festival. Some are inspired by Ernest Hemingway, whose 1920s novel "The Sun also Rises" made the festival internationally famous. Running the bulls dates back to the 14th century when men, mainly butchers, would herd the bulls to the bull ring. Authorities tried to stop it until 1876.

At 8.00 a.m. (0600 GMT) the six bulls and a group of steers are let out of their pen onto the narrow streets. Runners, dressed in traditional white with red neckerchiefs and waistbands, join the bulls -- the most daring just inches in front of them. While many of the dense crowd of runners are there for the first time, some come back year after year. Reuters