Santa Barbara Police Investigate Illnesses Among Half Marathon Runners

Santa Barbara police have opened an investigation after a local hospital reported that multiple participants in the Santa Barbara Half Marathon were seeking treatment for unusual symptoms, according to The Guardian.

Santa Barbara Cottage Health reported a larger than expected number of emergency visits, with a number of patients showing similar symptoms whose cause is not yet known. In total, 27 people who ran in the race went to emergency rooms in Santa Barbara and Goleta. More than 4,640 people competed in the event.

As of Monday morning, 24 of the hospitalized runners had been treated and discharged, and three others were in stable condition. Separately, the race's organizers had taken 15 people from the medical tent to local hospitals.

The high temperature on the day of the race was 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31.1 degrees Celsius), the Guardian reported.

Event director David Monico said organizers had no additional information suggesting that the participants' problems were caused by anything other than symptoms related to exertion during an endurance event.

The police investigation was opened after Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital contacted authorities about the patients.