More than a dozen runners fall ill during Santa Barbara Half Marathon, with Cottage Health Hospital treating at least 19 people

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KABC) — More than a dozen runners were being treated after falling ill Sunday during a half marathon in Santa Barbara, according to health officials.

Cottage Health Hospital in Santa Barbara said it had treated at least 19 people with similar symptoms.

The cause of these illnesses was not immediately known.

A spokesperson for Run Local, the marathon organizer, released the following statement:

“At this time, we have no reason to believe that anything extraordinary happened during today’s race, other than the typical heat-related illnesses or exhaustion that can occur when participating in long-duration endurance events such as a half-marathon.”

More than 7,500 people participated in the race, authorities said.

Authorities did not release further information on the patients’ conditions.

This is breaking news. More details will be added as more information becomes available.