The Great Bull Run

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Conyers, Georgia was reminiscent of Pamplona, Spain on Saturday. Thousands of people came out to the Georgia International Horse Park to participate in the Great Bull Run. The first event of its kind in the Atlanta area, the Great Bull Run pitted 18 bulls, with an average weight of 1,800 pounds each, against your average Joe. A quarter mile course was cordoned off by fencing and the giant beasts were unleashed at different times throughout the day charging past hundreds of brave souls in heats that reminded me of a swim meet. A swim meet if you consider that your competition runs at 30 mph, is 12 times your size and has pointy, very sharp horns. Each heat lasted no more than two minutes but the adrenaline released within that time was immense and electric as screams and cheers echoed off of the walls of the arena.

Isaiah Scott holds on as he is thrown about on top of a mechanical bull before the start of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

Isaiah Scott holds on as he is thrown about on top of a mechanical bull before the start of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

 

Preston Fowlkes (left) and Clint Madison sit atop their horses as they wait to drive 18, 1,800 pound bulls around a quarter mile course as participants run during the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

Preston Fowlkes (left) and Clint Madison sit atop their horses as they wait to drive 18, 1,800 pound bulls around a quarter mile course as participants run during the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

 

Mike Caudell (right) gets help putting on his bandana from Mike Dixon before the start of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

Mike Caudell (right) gets help putting on his bandana from Mike Dixon before the start of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

 

Wendy Williamson (center) clasps her hands together before the start of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

Wendy Williamson (center) clasps her hands together before the start of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

 

Michelle Byrd (center left) and her husband Darren cheer with the other participants in their heat before the start of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

Michelle Byrd (center left) and her husband Darren cheer with the other participants in their heat before the start of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

 

Dawn Poague (center) holds up her bandana with the other participants in her heat before the start of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

Dawn Poague (center) holds up her bandana with the other participants in her heat before the start of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

 

Thousands of participants got their chance to run a quarter mile course while being chased by 18, 1,800 pound bulls during the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

Thousands of participants got their chance to run a quarter mile course while being chased by 18, 1,800 pound bulls during the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

 

LEDE October 19, 2013 Conyers - An 1,800 pound bull chases after Bryant Knght during the Great Bull Run as he tries to run the quarter mile course at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013. The first event of its kind in Atlanta, The Great Bull Run allowed participants to feel the same excitment as if they were running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.   JONATHAN PHILLIPS / SPECIAL

 An 1,800 pound bull chases after Bryant Knight during the Great Bull Run as he tries to run the quarter mile course at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013. The first event of its kind in Atlanta, The Great Bull Run allowed participants to feel the same excitement as if they were running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.

 

Thousands of participants got their chance to run a quarter mile course while being chased by 18, 1,800 pound bulls during the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

Thousands of participants got their chance to run a quarter mile course while being chased by 18, 1,800 pound bulls during the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

 

Preston Fowlkes (top) drives 18, 1,800 pound bulls around the quarter mile course as participants run during the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

Preston Fowlkes (top) drives 18, 1,800 pound bulls around the quarter mile course as participants run during the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

 

Thousands of participants got their chance to run a quarter mile course while being chased by 18, 1,800 pound bulls during the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

Thousands of participants got their chance to run a quarter mile course while being chased by 18, 1,800 pound bulls during the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

 

An 1,800 pound bull runs over two people during the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

An 1,800 pound bull runs over two people during the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

 

Thousands of people rush towards the huge pile of tomatoes laid out in the parking lot during the Tomato Royale portion of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

Thousands of people rush towards the huge pile of tomatoes laid out in the parking lot during the Tomato Royale portion of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

 

Brandon Roth gets hit in the face with a tomato as thousands of people hurl the red vegetables at each other during the Tomato Royale portion of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

Brandon Roth gets hit in the face with a tomato as thousands of people hurl the red vegetables at each other during the Tomato Royale portion of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

 

Thousands of people hurl tomatoes at each other during the Tomato Royale portion of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

Thousands of people hurl tomatoes at each other during the Tomato Royale portion of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

 

Brian McArthur looks for his next target as thousands of people hurl tomatoes at each other during the Tomato Royale portion of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

Brian McArthur looks for his next target as thousands of people hurl tomatoes at each other during the Tomato Royale portion of the Great Bull Run at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, October 19, 2013.