Police investigate as nearly 30 Santa Barbara half-marathon runners fall ill with ‘unusual symptoms’
The Guardian • • sports
Key Points:
- Nearly 30 runners from the Santa Barbara Half Marathon were hospitalized with unusual symptoms, prompting a police investigation in southern California.
- Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital reported a higher-than-expected number of emergency visits from race participants exhibiting similar, undetermined symptoms.
- Race organizers attribute the illnesses to heat and dehydration, as the race day temperature reached an unusually high 88°F (31.1°C) for the season.
- Out of more than 4,640 participants, 27 sought emergency care, with 24 discharged and three remaining in stable condition as of Monday morning.
- Event officials and medical teams treated many runners for dehydration and overheating, with no evidence suggesting causes beyond exertion-related symptoms.
