The age-old tradition of the Running of the Bulls stampeded through the Highland neighborhood today, but with a twist — roller skates and foam bats instead of bulls.

About 200 people came to run away from the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls during the fundraiser for the Tennyson Center. The idea for the inaugural event, put on by The Highland Bulls, was borrowed from a similar fundraiser in New Orleans.

Organizers estimate the event raised $4,000 for the nonprofit treatment center for victims of child abuse and neglect.

“This is hysterically funny. You have roller derby queens chasing people with bats and foam noodles,” spectator Bryce Ballew said.

Following Running of the Bulls tradition, runners donned all white outfits with red sashes as they dashed down the downhill 1K course.

“The runners are at a complete disadvantage here. In Spain the bulls will just keep running. Here, they can turn around and whack you again,” Ballew said.

Runner Ashley Schirmer said one of the Rollergirls did exactly that.

“I got hit a few times. One of the girls hit me, turned around and whacked me again,” she said.

Barbie Robles, known on the track as “Barbie Boop,” said she lost count of how many runners she tagged after 20.

“The steepness of the hill distracted me,” Robles said.

Fellow skater Vanessa Bates, aka “Cat A. Combs,” agreed the starting slope was a bit of an advantage for the runners.

“The hill was terrifying. I got the roller coaster butterfly feeling in my stomach,” she said.

Once the skaters caught up, the majority of runners were tagged.

“The girls knew their audience. They didn’t hit the kids as hard as the adults and they were going after the guys, especially the two in Speedos,” organizer Niles Emerick said.

The idea to host the event was hatched over drinks at a local restaurant after a friend told Emerick about the New Orleans event.

“We wanted a way to promote philanthropy in the neighborhood and bring awareness to the Tennyson Center the business along 32nd Avenue,” Emerick said.

cgibbons@denverpost.com or 303-954-1638