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

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

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

The cause of the illnesses was not immediately known.

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

“At this time, we have no reason to believe that there was anything out of the ordinary that occurred during today’s race, besides typical heat-related illness or exhaustion that can take place while participating in long endurance events such as a half marathon.”

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

Authorities had not released further information on the patients’ conditions.

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