19 Runners Treated After Santa Barbara Half Marathon

Cottage Health treated 19 people who became ill after taking part in Santa Barbara’s half marathon on November 8. More than 7,500 people participated in the race, which ran from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. along Cabrillo Boulevard and Yanonali Street.

Santa Barbara police said they began investigating after the hospital notified them that participants were seeking care for unusual symptoms. Some people went to the hospital themselves, while others arrived by ambulance. Police said the cause had not been established and advised anyone who feels unwell to seek medical care and follow health professionals’ guidance.

Race organizers said they knew of at least 15 people who were hospitalized, and that their medical reports attributed the cases to heat or exhaustion related to the race. Cottage Health said several of the 19 patients had similar symptoms of undetermined cause. The hospital was examining whether heat or other factors were involved.