Roller Derby Glory at Rolling of the Bulls

A child of the ‘80s, I’d race around the roller rink in my Strawberry Shortcake skates, hair (and roach clip) flying behind me, imagining myself as roller derby goddess Raquel Welch in “Kansas City Bomber.”

Those visions of hardcore hits and rinkside glory are gone, but I can still get crushed by real derby girls during the annual Rolling of the Bulls in Hampton, Virginia.

Inspired by Pamplona’s bull run, the Rolling of the Bulls swaps bulls for Dominion Roller Derby Girls, outfitted with horns and plastic bats, who chase participants through a half-mile gauntlet. Roller derby dreams fulfilled.

– Leah Steinberg