Health · Public Health & Disease · 12 hrs ago
19 Santa Barbara half-marathon runners treated for unexplained symptoms
Police are investigating after 19 runners needed emergency care following Sunday's Santa Barbara half marathon.
The patients went to Cottage Health emergency departments, and several had similar symptoms.
The cause of the illness is still unknown, and police described the circumstances as suspicious.
Race organizers said their medical reports pointed to heat or typical marathon exhaustion, but hospital officials were still investigating.
More than 7,500 people took part in the race, which ran along Cabrillo Boulevard from 7 a.m.
to 11 a.m.
Authorities have not recommended any specific action for the public, but participants who feel unwell should seek medical care.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact them as the investigation continues.
Nineteen patients who took part in the Santa Barbara half marathon went to Cottage Health emergency departments on Sunday with similar symptoms of undetermined cause.
Police opened an investigation after receiving a report from a local hospital about race participants seeking treatment.
The cause of the illnesses has not been confirmed.
Race organizers said their medical reports pointed to heat or typical marathon exhaustion.
More than 7,500 people took part in the race, which ran from 7am to 11am on Cabrillo Boulevard.
- Who
- Nineteen patients who participated in the race sought emergency care.
- What
- They experienced similar symptoms of undetermined cause. Police opened an investigation.
- When
- Sunday morning; the article was published on 9 November 2026.
- Where
- Santa Barbara, California; the race began on Cabrillo Boulevard.
- Why
- The cause of the symptoms has not been confirmed.
Police and hospital officials
Race organizers
Cause of illness
Police and hospital officials
Police said the cause had not been confirmed, and the department opened an investigation into suspicious circumstances.
Race organizers
Organizers said their medical reports pointed toward heat or typical marathon exhaustion.
The half marathon began on Cabrillo Boulevard.
Nineteen patients who took part in the race arrived at Cottage Health emergency departments.
The half marathon ended.
The Daily Mail reported that police had opened an investigation into the illnesses.
- Patients
- 19 arrived at Cottage Health emergency departments
- Participants
- More than 7,500
- Race hours
- 7am to 11am
- Race location
- Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara
- Cause
- Undetermined
What people are saying
There is no specific action recommended for the public at this time; however, participants who feel unwell should seek medical attention.
This morning 19 patients arrived at Cottage EDs, a number of them with similar symptoms of undetermined cause.
We have a larger than expected number of emergency visits that are tracked to participants of this morning's organized run in SB.