California authorities are investigating what they described as “suspicious circumstances” after nearly 20 people were hospitalized following a half-marathon in Santa Barbara. Several runners reported experiencing unusual symptoms after the race.
Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital contacted police after multiple participants in Sunday’s half-marathon sought treatment for “unusual symptoms,” the Santa Barbara Police Department said in a news release, according to CBS Los Angeles.
“The cause of the reported symptoms has not been confirmed,” police said. “There is no specific action recommended for the public at this time; however, participants who feel unwell should seek medical attention and follow guidance from healthcare professionals.”
Palm trees and hillside residences are seen from the Santa Barbara Harbor pier on November 26, 2014, in Santa Barbara, California. (George Rose/Getty Images)
Police said some patients arrived at the hospital independently, while others were taken there by ambulance.
Cottage Health said the number of emergency department visits linked to the race was higher than anticipated, according to a statement provided to the outlet.
“We have a larger than expected number of emergency visits that are tracked to participants of this morning’s organized run in SB,” Cottage Health said. “This morning 19 patients arrived at Cottage EDs, a number of them with similar symptoms of undetermined cause.”
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Hospital officials said they were continuing to investigate whether heat or another factor contributed to the runners’ symptoms.
State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, California. (Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
A representative of the organization that hosted the half-marathon said the hospitalizations appeared to be heat-related, ABC 7 reported.
Stearns Wharf, looking toward State Street and downtown, is shown in an aerial photograph taken February 23, 2018, in Santa Barbara, California. (George Rose/Getty Images)
“At this time, we have no reason to believe that there was anything out of the ordinary that occurred during today’s race, besides typical heat-related illness or exhaustion that can take place while participating in long endurance events such as a half marathon,” the spokesperson said.
About 7,500 people took part in the half-marathon, according to the Los Angeles Times.
News Outlet has contacted the Santa Barbara Police Department, Cottage Health and the race organizers for additional comment.
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