California Police Probe After 27 Runners Fall Ill at Half-Marathon

Police in Santa Barbara, California, have launched an investigation after 27 participants in a half-marathon sought medical treatment for unusual symptoms following Sunday’s running event.

The Santa Barbara Police Department said it opened the investigation after receiving reports from Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital about several participants who required medical attention after completing the race.

According to Cottage Health, 27 runners were treated at emergency departments in Santa Barbara and neighbouring Goleta after experiencing similar symptoms whose cause had not been established.

As of Monday morning, 24 participants had been treated and discharged, while three others remained hospitalised in stable condition.

Authorities have yet to disclose the specific symptoms experienced by the runners or determine what triggered the illnesses.

The Santa Barbara Half Marathon, organised by Run Local and sponsored by sportswear brand Hoka, attracted approximately 7,500 participants. The event featured a 13.1-mile (21.1-kilometre) half-marathon and a shorter 5K race.

Race organisers have suggested that unusually warm weather, dehydration and physical exhaustion may have contributed to the incident.

Event director David Monico said the medical team treated numerous participants for dehydration and overheating along the course and at the finish line.

He added that 15 runners were transported from the event’s medical tent to local hospitals for further treatment.

Temperatures in Santa Barbara were significantly higher than usual for November, reaching approximately 27 degrees Celsius by 10 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

The unusually warm conditions have strengthened suspicions that heat-related illness may have played a role in the hospitalisations.

However, police and hospital authorities have not ruled out other possible explanations and say investigations are continuing.

The incident has also generated speculation on social media about possible contamination of drinking water provided along the race route. However, there is no confirmed evidence that any water or refreshments were deliberately contaminated.

Police have urged participants who experienced unusual symptoms to seek medical attention and follow the advice of healthcare professionals.

The department has also appealed to anyone with relevant information about the incident to contact investigators.

Authorities say there is currently no specific action recommended for the wider public as they work to establish what caused the illnesses.