More than a dozen fall ill at Santa Barbara half marathon, police investigating

Santa Barbara police have opened an investigation into 'suspicious circumstances' after more than a dozen participants in the city's half marathon sought medical treatment, CBS News Los Angeles reported.

According to the Santa Barbara Police Department, multiple runners reported unusual symptoms after the race ended, with some arriving at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital on their own and others by ambulance. The cause of these symptoms has not been confirmed.

Half marathon organizers told CBS LA that at least 15 people were hospitalized, with medical reports attributing their conditions to heat or marathon-related exhaustion. Cottage Health noted 19 patients arrived at their emergency departments with similar symptoms of undetermined cause.

The race started at 7 a.m. on Cabrillo Boulevard at Yanonali Street and continued until 11 a.m. Authorities are still investigating whether the illnesses were heat-related or due to other factors. The public is advised to seek medical attention if feeling unwell and to contact Sergeant Andre Miller with any information.