BY LINDA BENTLEY | JULY 20, 2011
Running of the Bulls thrill seekers must have own insurance
‘… participation in the event may cause me to suffer serious injury or death … inherent in this type of dangerous activity’
CAVE CREEK – Phil Immordino (r), the promoter of the Running of the Bulls event scheduled to take place in Cave Creek Oct. 14 and 15, and for which the town has already granted a permit, showed council a short video about the event and said he was excited to bring the event to Cave Creek.
He said the event, which will be held on T.C. Thorstenson’s 9-acre parcel west of Foothills Granite, is a draw for “thrill seekers” who “like to live life on the edge.”
Immordino said he will be spending $100,000 in advertising throughout the Southwest and the event is expected to bring 5,000 people to Cave Creek. He said there will also be entertainment, food and merchant booths.
He said, “We’ll have an arena built, with a main stage for entertainment.”
Although he will have insurance to cover the town and the runners, Immordino said runners must sign a waiver, which may be downloaded from the event’s website runwiththebullsusa.com, and have their own medical insurance.
Immordino stated they will be using American rodeo bulls, which, unlike Spanish bulls are not trained to kill, with rodeo clowns on the track and medical staff on site.
He said it will be a “safe and well-organized event.”
Vice Mayor Ernie Bunch quipped, “I’m glad you’re using docile rodeo bulls.”
The waiver runners must sign includes warnings throughout that participation can cause “serious injury or even death” and states, “I am also fully aware that no amount of care, caution, instruction or expertise can eliminate these dangers, and that my participation in the event may cause me to suffer serious injury or death, and/or to sustain economic loss, which may result not only from my own actions, inactions or negligence, but also from the actions, inactions or negligence of others, from the condition of the facility or area used, from the area where the event or activity is being conducted, or from the rules (or lack thereof) inherent in this type of dangerous activity.”
The cost to participate is $25 per run in advance or $35 the day of the event, or runners may pay $50 in advance for an all run pass or $75 on the day of the event.
All runners will receive an “I ran with the Bulls” T-shirt.
Councilwoman Shelley Anderson questioned the $2 million liability insurance policy and stated $2 million doesn’t cover much anymore.
Immordino stated the bull contractor also has a $2 million policy, adding, “Our insurance company requires our fencing to be bull proof,” and said they will come out to inspect the facilities.
Town Attorney Marlene Pontrelli said she would like to see the town named as additional insured, which Immordino said he was willing to do.
Pontrelli also pointed out the town had very limited liability due to the event not being town sponsored and because it was being held on private property.
Immordino stated he was willing to look at higher limits if the town knew of an insurance company with good rates.
Even though the agenda item was for presentation and discussion only with no council action to be taken, three people spoke during public comment in support of the event and the arena, although Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce President Ken Bacher stated, “I think we’re a little confused about the event.”
