The annual rite of passage for daredevil tourists and locals, the running of the bulls, got off to a harrowing start in Pamplona, Spain with three people gored -- two Americans and a Briton -- and eight other runners injured, July 7, 2015.

The week-long San Fermin festival, best known for its daily running of the bulls, kicked off July 6, 2015 with the traditional "Chupinazo" rocket launch and finishes July 14.

Here, people watch as Jandilla fighting bulls and revelers take part in teh first bull run on July 7, 2015.

A steer jumps over a fallen runner as two Jandilla fighting bulls follow behind at the Mercaderes curve during the first running of the bulls of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 7, 2015.

Two American runners and a Briton were gored and eight others injured in the run that lasted 2 minutes and 23 seconds.

Mike Webster, a 38-year-old occupational therapist from Gainesville, Florida gestures while being attended by medical personnel following the first running of the bulls of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 7, 2015. Webster was gored in the armpit.

Revelers from around the world arrive to Pamplona every year to take part in running of the bulls.

Runners sprint alongside Jandilla fighting bulls at the town hall square during the first running of the bulls of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 7, 2015.

A fallen runner gets up next to a Jandilla fighting bull as others fall and run past him at the Mercaderes curve during the first running of the bulls of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 7, 2015.

The annual Fiesta de San Fermin, made famous by the 1926 novel of American writer Ernest Hemingway entitled 'The Sun Also Rises," involves the daily running of the bulls through the historic heart of Pamplona to the bull ring.

Runners sprint alongside Jandlla fighting bulls at the entrance to the bullring during the first running of the bulls of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 7, 2015.

Runners sprint alongside Jandilla fighting bulls at the town hall square during the first running of the bulls of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 7, 2015.

A reveler falls while others continue running with a Jandilla's ranch fighting bull during the running of the bulls of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 7, 2015.

Revelers attempt to avoid a fighting calf inside Pamplona bullring during the second day of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 7, 2015.

Revellers get soaked with water during the start of the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2015.

Pamplona's municipal music band passes revelers in the town hall square during the start of the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2015.

Revelers from around the world turned out to kick off the festival with a messy party in the Pamplona town square, one day before the first of eight days of the running of the bulls.

Revellers hold up red scarves and the Basque flag called the Ikurrina during the start of the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2015.

Revelers wave their arms as the band plays during the opening day or 'Chupinazo' of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2015.

Revelers hold up their red handkerchiefs during the opening day or 'Chupinazo' of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2015.

A reveller is tossed in the air during the start of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona July 6, 2015.

Revelers enjoy the atmosphere during the opening day or 'Chupinazo' of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2015.

The municipal band plays during the start of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona July 6, 2015.

Revelers and children are 'chased' by the 'Toro de Fuego' (Flaming bull) as it runs through the streets during opening day of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2015.

Revelers enjoy the atmosphere during the opening day or 'Chupinazo' of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2015.

Revelers enjoy the atmosphere during opening day or 'Chupinazo' of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2015.

Revelers squeeze alongside one another as they sing, dance and drink during the traditional Riau-Riau dance from the town hall to the Saint Fermin Chapel at San Lorenzo church on the first day of the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2015.