Running of the Bull revelry returns to Dewey Beach June 25

Some 25 years ago, Michael McDonnell was in his mid-20s and feeling frisky when he and a beach house full of his cohorts decided to enact their own wacky version of Pamplona, Spain’s Running of the Bulls in an unassuming bar in Dewey Beach.

None of them could have anticipated how that inaugural run down the beach with a costumed bull would ultimately become Dewey Beach’s own “drunk uncle” version of Pamplona’s long-held tradition.

The 25th Annual Running of the Bull will take place Saturday, June 25. Bull runners meet at the Starboard where they enjoy beverages, loud music and general pre-run festivities. At 2 p.m., the run officially begins. The kids’ portion of the event starts at 10:30 a.m., on the beach between Dagsworthy and New Orleans streets.

“It’s crazy to me, because the math caught up to me the other day, and it’s been so many years. In October I turn 52, and I’ve now been doing this half my life,” said McDonnell. He said as the Running of the Bull grew from that first year, there were a couple of tipping points that really kept the momentum going. The first was when Steve “Monty” Montgomery took over ownership of the Starboard. The event turned from a beach house tradition into being managed by the establishment, and it became exponentially bigger. Then, in advance of the event’s 10th anniversary, the Washington Post ran a story in its style section.

Since its inception, the Running of the Bull has grown to include a flyover, and it has raised a ton of money for charity over the years. It has even become a multigenerational affair. Celebrities, brew masters and politicians have served as matadors to fight the bull, and a variety of Elvis impersonators have shown up.

“We now have kids who were 2 years old when their parents were forming the culture around the Running of the Bull, who are in attendance at the event. That always blows my mind,” said McDonnell.

What might be in store for the 25th anniversary of this iconic local event? Montgomery and McDonnell like to pull out surprises and keep the crowds guessing.

For more, go to therunningofthebull.com.