At least 19 runners rushed to hospital with ‘unusual symptoms’ at California half marathon as rumors swirl over cause

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Nineteen runners were rushed to hospital after the Santa Barbara Half Marathon Sunday, prompting a police investigation into what caused their “unusual symptoms.”

Race organizers believe the runners suffered from heat exhaustion and unverified rumors circulating on social media suggested a water station along the course may have been spiked.

Police said the cause remains undetermined.

Santa Barbara Half Marathon Event Director David Monico told Noozhawk organizers have “no reason to believe that it’s anything more than just the heat and exhaustion from the half marathon.”

“Everything from our medical staff and tent spoke to that as well,” he said.

Temperatures in Santa Barbara reached 86 degrees on Sunday, and Monico said hospitalizations are not unusual during races, particularly when temperatures are high.

“Even on some of our cooler days we’ll have some transports,” he told the outlet. But authorities have not ruled out other explanations.

Santa Barbara Police Lt. Ethan Ragsdale said investigators were looking into “suspicious circumstances” surrounding reports of runners seeking “medical treatment for unusual symptoms” after the race.

As of approximately 6:50 p.m. Sunday, police had not established what caused the participants to become ill.

Meanwhile, speculation spread across social media that runners may have been drugged or that someone had tampered with water stations along the course.

Authorities have not confirmed those allegations, and there is no verified evidence that the runners were deliberately exposed to any substance.

Emergency personnel responded to multiple locations along the marathon route, including the intersection of State and Cota streets, between 9:40 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Santa Barbara City Fire Department Battalion Chief Cory Cloud told Noozhawk that 12 people were transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and another three to Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital.

Four others made their own way to hospitals.

Cottage Health spokesperson Cristina Cortez confirmed to Noozhawk that emergency departments experienced “a larger than expected number of emergency visits” connected to the race.

“This morning 19 participants arrived at Cottage EDs, a number of them with similar symptoms of undetermined cause. We are working to determine whether this is due to the heat or other factors,” Cortez said.

Authorities have not disclosed the specific symptoms experienced by the runners or the severity of their conditions.

“There is no specific action recommended for the general public at this time,” Ragsdale said. “However, participants who feel unwell should seek medical attention and follow guidance from healthcare professionals.”

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Sgt. Andre Miller at 805-897-2330.

The investigation remains ongoing, and no official cause has been announced.