Santa Barbara police have launched an investigation after more than two dozen people required medical attention at the city’s half marathon on Sunday.
According to CBS News, police are looking into “suspicious circumstances” after multiple half marathon participants sought medical attention for “unusual symptoms” after the event.
“The cause of the reported symptoms has not been confirmed,” police said, according to the outlet.
“There is no specific action recommended for the public at this time; however, participants who feel unwell should seek medical attention and follow guidance from healthcare professionals,” police continued.
Police are investigating “suspicious circumstances” after a half-marathon in Santa Barbara sent 27 participants to emergency departments Sunday, including two runners who officials said were receiving treatment in intensive care. https://t.co/7AaRcOFy1z pic.twitter.com/Kmm0AuOKQJ
— KTLA (@KTLA) November 10, 2026
CBS News explained further:
Half marathon organizers who spoke with CBS LA said that they were aware of the people who sought hospitalization after the race, and that their medical reports all said heat or marathon-related exhaustion.
ADVERTISEMENTA Cottage Health spokesperson shared a statement on Sunday regarding the incident.
“We have a larger than expected number of emergency visits that are tracked to participants of this morning’s organized run in SB,” the statement said.
In an updated statement on Monday, Cottage Health said they received 27 half marathon participants at emergency rooms in Santa Barbara and Goleta. They said three of the patients remained hospitalized in stable condition, while the other two dozen were discharged after treatment.
The spokesperson said they are still investigating whether the illnesses were heat-related or due to other factors, but did not provide further details.
Watch footage from the event below:
An active investigation is underway after 19 runners were brought to Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara and extra medical help was called in to respond to serious and suspicious health concerns. This was during the Half Marathon event Sunday. pic.twitter.com/I9S5bxk1eb
— John Palminteri (@JohnPalminteri) November 9, 2026
More from the Associated Press:
The temperature in Santa Barbara reached 80 degrees Fahrenheit (around 27 degrees Celsius) by 10 a.m., which is unusual for November, when high temperatures usually reach the lower to mid-70s, said Ryan Kitell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Roughly 7,500 people participated in the event, which spanned 13.1 miles (21.1 kilometers) along the Pacific Ocean and through the city’s downtown.
Event director David Monico said organizers transported 15 people from the medical tent to local hospitals. He said the event’s medical team treated numerous runners for dehydration and overheating both on the course and at the finish line.
ADVERTISEMENT“There was no unusual symptoms or anything outside of the norm for a half marathon or a marathon or some type of endurance event,” Monico said.
Watch additional coverage below:
