350 registered for Mesquite's running of the bulls

With an unofficial test run Monday morning, organizers in Mesquite have been preparing for America's first-ever running of the bulls Saturday.

Three hundred and fifty participants, mainly from Arizona, California and Nevada, have registered for the run sponsored by the Mesquite Resort Association. An additional 200 more are expected to register the morning of the event, said event promoter Phil Immordino.

For $50, anyone 21 or older and willing to sign a waiver, can be chased a quarter-mile stretch into an arena by 12 rodeo bulls at the Oasis Ranch outside of Mesquite, 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas off Interstate 15. The event imitates the annual and historic running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.

Saturday's event opens at 7 a.m. with the bull run at 10 a.m. Admission is free to spectators.

Officials say safety precautions will ensure that the Mesquite run will not be nearly as dangerous as the run in Pamplona. Unlike Pamplona, the Mesquite run will be lined with pipe fencing, allowing endangered runners the chance to jump aside to safety. Escape exits will be provided every 100 feet for runners who choose not to go the distance.

Participants also will sign a waiver the morning of the event stating that they are not drunk. If there are signs that someone is intoxicated, that person will not be allowed to participate, said Mesquite Mayor Ken Carter.

Carter, who said he isn't anticipating serious injury Saturday, said there will be only one ambulance and medical doctor on site.

But Immordino, who said the bulls are expected to run 15 to 20 miles per hour, said there is a possibility of injury.

"I hope there is some excitement and close calls," Immordino said. "If it's boring, it will be a flop. That's why it's so controversial, it's the element of danger."

Judith Ruiz, president of the Las Vegas Valley Humane Society, says she thinks it will be the greatest "non-event" of the decade.

"They (the bulls) may see 500 people and not run out there," Ruiz said. "They may decide to stand still and eat grass."

Carter said he's received letters from PETA, and various humane societies insisting that they stop the event because of its noted cruelty to the bulls in Pamplona where the bulls are poked and prodded to get them running. But Carter said these methods will not be used on the bulls in the Mesquite run.

"Basically we just open the gate and they will take off," Carter said.

Still Immordino expects 100-200 animal rights protesters at the event.

Danny Tarakanian, former UNLV basketball player, who ran with the bulls in Pamplona said participants in the Mesquite event are probably hoping to experience the mystique of Pamplona.

"They probably don't have the money or the time to go to Pamplona," he said.

Tarkanian added that the highlight of the event in Pamplona is the atmosphere of the festival the night before with the drinking, dancing and excitement. Unless Mesquite can somehow recreate that, the event just won't be the same.

Bleachers will be provided for the spectators to watch the run. There will be concession stands and live music. With 5,000 to 10,000 spectators expected to attend the event, Carter said an early arrival is recommended to get a good seat. The event concludes at 1 p.m.

Immordino said more than 1,000 runners were originally expected, but a misconception that the run was cancelled when the state Department of Transportation pulled the event from Mesquite Boulevard due to safety hazards, lowered the number of entrants.