Nearly 30 participants in the Santa Barbara Half Marathon sought medical treatment for symptoms police described as unusual, prompting a local police investigation.
The Santa Barbara Police Department said it had opened an investigation after receiving reports from Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital that multiple half-marathon participants were seeking medical treatment for “unusual symptoms”. Cottage Health said in a statement it had a “larger than expected number of emergency visits” with a number of them having “similar symptoms of undetermined cause”.
Of the 27 runners who sought treatment at hospitals in Santa Barbara and Goleta, 24 had been treated and discharged by Monday morning, according to Cottage Health. Three others were in stable condition.
The high on the day of the race was 88F (31.1C), an unusually high temperature for the time of year. Event director David Monico said organisers had transported 15 people from the medical tent to local hospitals. Monico told the Guardian that organisers had no additional information to suggest the issues some of the participants experienced were caused by anything other than endurance event exertion-related symptoms.
More than 4,640 people competed in the approximately 13-mile race.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The sudden illness of dozens of runners raises public health and safety questions about the event.
- The investigation may determine whether the symptoms were purely due to heat or another cause, such as contamination.
- The incident highlights risks of running in unseasonably hot weather.
Background
The Santa Barbara Half Marathon is an annual event that draws thousands of participants. This year's race took place on an unusually hot day for November, with highs reaching 88F (31.1C). Organisers had medical staff on site and a medical tent.
Key Perspectives
Santa Barbara Police: Have opened an investigation into the circumstances, citing "unusual symptoms" reported by the hospital.
Cottage Health: Reported a larger than expected number of emergency visits with similar symptoms of undetermined cause.
Event director David Monico: Said organisers believe the illnesses are attributable to heat and dehydration, and that they have no evidence of another cause.
What to Watch
- Results of the police investigation and any public health follow-up.
- Whether the hospital or health department identifies a specific cause for the symptoms.
- Updates on the condition of the three runners still in stable condition.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe story quotes police describing the symptoms as “unusual symptoms”.World news | The Guardian: “Santa Barbara police said in a statement to the Associated Press that they had opened an investigation after receiving reports from Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital about multiple half-marathon participants seeking medical treatment for “unusual symptoms”.”
- SupportedThe story quotes Cottage Health describing a “larger than expected number of emergency visits” and “similar symptoms of undetermined cause”.World news | The Guardian: “Cottage Health said in a statement it had a “larger than expected number of emergency visits … a number of them with similar symptoms of undetermined cause”.”
- SupportedPolice opened an investigation after nearly 30 half-marathon runners sought medical treatment for unusual symptoms.World news | The Guardian: “Police in southern California are investigating the circumstances that led to the hospitalization of nearly 30 runners who participated in the Santa Barbara Half on Sunday.”
- SupportedCottage Health said 27 participants came to emergency rooms in Santa Barbara and Goleta.World news | The Guardian: “Cottage Health said on Monday that 27 participants came to emergency rooms in Santa Barbara and Goleta, a small city about 10 miles west.”
- SupportedOf those patients, 24 had been treated and discharged by Monday morning.World news | The Guardian: “Of those who were either taken to the hospital or arrived there on their own, 24 patients had been treated and discharged as of Monday morning.”
- SupportedThe three remaining patients were in stable condition.World news | The Guardian: “The three others were in stable condition, the company told the Associated Press.”
- SupportedOrganisers believe any illness was attributable to heat or dehydration.World news | The Guardian: “Race organizers say they believe any illness is attributable to heat or dehydration.”
- SupportedThe high on race day was 88F (31.1C), an unusually high temperature for that time of year.World news | The Guardian: “The high on the day of the race was 88F (31.1C), an unusually high temperature for this time of year.”
- SupportedEvent director David Monico said organisers transported 15 people from the medical tent to local hospitals.World news | The Guardian: “Event director David Monico said organizers transported 15 people from the medical tent to local hospitals.”
- SupportedMonico told the Guardian organisers had no additional information to suggest the participants’ issues were caused by anything other than endurance-event exertion-related symptoms.World news | The Guardian: “The half-marathon’s event director, David Monico told the Guardian that they have “no additional information to suggest that the issues some of the participants experienced were caused by anything other than endurance event exertion-related symptoms”.”
- SupportedMore than 4,640 people competed in the race, which was approximately 13 miles long.World news | The Guardian: “More than 4,640 people competed in the half-marathon, which spanned about 13 miles, according to the Santa Barbara Half Marathon website.”