Local group stages own "Running of the Bulls" - KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana

Local group stages own "Running of the Bulls"

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By Lee Peck - bio | email

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LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) -

As the famous Running of the Bulls takes place in Pamplona, Spain a local group stages their own Running of the Bulls. Two groups of St. Louis High School students and catholic parishioners got suited up in costumes and in place Saturday morning at St. Charles Catholic Retreat Center.

One group wore traditional white bull running gear, the other group wore roller blades and were disguised as bulls. It my sound crazy, but it's a fundraising idea brought to the Lake Area from New Orleans.

"I was in New Orleans and saw a bunch of folks running by and some people were on roller skates and I said: What's that? - They said it's a way sororities in New Orleans raise funds for their sororities and they have it on the same day of the Running of the Bulls in Spain," said Rev. Whitney Miller.

It's basically a big game of chase. Once tagged by the bulls the runners are out. While they may have planned to stay together in the end it was every man for himself.

"Basically lost all connection with anybody else running for yourself - the last man standing," said Matthew Berry, St. Louis High School Senior.

"My adrenaline was going fast because I was thinking I have to get away... I have to get away, but there was nowhere to run," said Lee Metoyer.

The runners and bulls are sponsored to run in the race. All proceeds from the fundraiser will be split between the St. Charles Catholic Retreat Center and St. Louis High School's Fine Arts Department. That was enough to get teacher Robbie Austin on board.

"Why wouldn't I want to be a bull. A bull on blades," said Austin. "It's for a great cause and will also help the school."

Others like the idea of role playing and costumes and said the hardest part was staying in character.

"It was hard. But I'm in drama so I put myself into the character. It was also fun because we were on roller blades," said Hailey Cooley, St. Louis High School Sophomore.

"I honestly can't skate so I am running through this but I was nervous too. I thought it was going to be kind of embarrassing but then I decided it's a fun thing," said Brianna Facenda, St. Louis High School Sophomore.

Organizers hope to make it an annual fundraising event.