Running of the bulls the controversial tradition. Since 2014, the Esquire Channel has broadcast the running of the bulls as a show in the US, with both live commentary and then a recorded 'round up' later in the day by NBCSN commentators the Men in Blazers, including interviews with noted participants such as Madrid-born runner David Ubeda, former US Special Forces soldier turned filmmaker Dennis Clancey, the historic New York-born runner Joe Distler, and former British bullfighter and author Alexander Fiske-Harrison. In 2014, the eBook guide, "Fiesta: How To Survive The Bulls Of Pamplona", caused headlines around the world when one of the contributors
San Fermín and a different "encaste" (sub-breed) of bull appears each day. The event begins at 8 a.m. when a first firecracker is lit to announce the release of the bulls from their corral. Before the year 1924 it started at 6 and at 7 between 1924 and 1974. Runners gather earlier at the beginning of the itinerary to ask for the protection of the Saint by singing a chant three times before a small statue of San Fermín which has been placed in a raised niche in a wall: “"To San Fermin we ask to be our patron saint and to