At Least 19 Runners Hospitalized with 'Mystery Illness' During Half-Marathon
Police are investigating whether heat or another factor caused the illnesses after 19 runners were treated at Cottage Health hospitals, officials said.
- On Sunday, 19 participants in the Santa Barbara Half Marathon were hospitalized with 'unusual symptoms' following the race. The Santa Barbara Police Department launched an investigation into the circumstances affecting competitors during the 13.1-mile event.
- Race organizers attributed the illnesses to heat exhaustion, noting temperatures reached 86 degrees during the event. However, Cottage Health officials reported a 'larger than expected number of emergency visits' with symptoms remaining of undetermined cause.
- Emergency crews transported 12 people to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and three to Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, while four runners self-transported. Santa Barbara City Fire Department Battalion Chief Cory Cloud provided these transport breakdowns.
- Authorities are investigating 'suspicious circumstances' regarding the medical mystery, though they emphasize the general public faces no specific threat. Police advise anyone with information or symptoms to contact Sergeant Andre Miller at 805-897-2330.
- Unconfirmed rumors regarding contaminated hydration stations circulated on social media, but officials have not verified any specific cause. The investigation remains active as medical staff and police work to determine whether heat or other factors were responsible.
114 Articles
114 Articles
'Unusual Symptoms' Probed After California Half Marathon
A Santa Barbara half-marathon that drew about 7,500 runners has turned into a police inquiry after shortly 20 participants asked in local emergency rooms with what police say were "unusual symptoms." Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital contacted police Sunday after runners began arriving seeing medical treatment after the race, Fox...
What landed 25 half-marathon runners in Santa Barbara in hospitals?
By KAREN VELIE The Santa Barbara Police Department is investigating why 25 runners who participated in a half-marathon race on Sunday were admitted to local hospitals. As of Monday morning, medical staff has discharged 18 of the runners. Doctors are working to determine if the illnesses were heat related or caused by other factors. Runners […]
Investigation Launched After 19 Runners Hospitalized with ‘Unusual Symptoms’ Following California Half-Marathon
Police in Santa Barbara, California, are investigating “suspicious circumstances” after 19 runners sought emergency medical treatment following a half-marathon on Sunday, with multiple participants reporting similar and unexplained symptoms.
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