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Nineteen runners were hospitalized after participating in the Santa Barbara Half Marathon on Sunday (November 8) with "unusual symptoms," according to KTLA. The cause of these symptoms remains unknown, and local health officials are investigating whether they were due to heat or other factors.
The race, which started at 7 a.m. on Cabrillo Boulevard and ended on State Street, had 7,500 registered participants. Cristina Cortez, Public Relations Manager for Cottage Health, stated that the runners arrived at local hospitals with similar symptoms, as reported by the Santa Barbara News-Press. The Santa Barbara Police Department is investigating the incident but has not identified a common cause.
Speculation on social media suggested that the water at the race's hydration stations might have been contaminated, but event director David Monico said such an occurrence would be unusual. He noted that while it's common for runners to experience heat exhaustion, the number of hospitalizations this year was higher than usual.
Police have advised anyone who feels unwell to seek medical help and encouraged those with information to contact Sergeant Andre Miller at 805-897-2330. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the cause of the illnesses.