Santa Barbara Marathon: 25 Runners Hospitalized After Heat Spike

Santa Barbara police have opened an investigation into the medical condition of marathon participants following a surge in emergency room visits on Sunday.

Cottage Health reported that 25 runners arrived at emergency rooms in Santa Barbara and Goleta with similar symptoms of undetermined cause. As of Monday morning, 18 patients had been discharged, and the remaining seven were in stable condition. The hospital described the volume of cases as larger than expected for the event.

Race organizers attribute the illness to heat or dehydration. David Monico, the event director, stated that the medical team transported 15 individuals from the on-site medical tent to local hospitals. He noted that the medical staff treated many runners for dehydration and overheating on the course and at the finish line. Monico asserted that the cases were within the normal range for an endurance event and cited no symptoms outside the norm.

The investigation was triggered by reports from Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital to the Santa Barbara Police Department. A police spokesperson did not provide further details on the inquiry status on Monday. Neither the hospital nor law enforcement has specified the exact nature of the unusual symptoms beyond their initial descriptions.

Weather conditions likely contributed to the incident. Ryan Kitell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, noted that temperatures reached 80 degrees Fahrenheit by 10 a.m. on Sunday. This reading is unusual for November, when high temperatures in the area typically remain in the lower to mid-70s.

Approximately 7,500 people completed the 13.1-mile race along the Pacific Ocean and through downtown Santa Barbara. The event spanned a route that exposed runners to coastal conditions before they reached the city center.