Nineteen runners were hospitalized after the Santa Barbara Half Marathon on November 8, 2026, prompting the Santa Barbara Police Department to investigate what it described as suspicious circumstances.
The Santa Barbara Police Department launched an investigation after numerous race participants sought medical treatment for unusual symptoms,
the department said in a statement issued at 6:45 p.m. on November 8.
According to Cottage Health, 19 participants arrived at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital for treatment. The participants sought medical attention by ambulance, self-transportation, or as walk-ins following the race’s conclusion, according to the Santa Barbara Police Department.
Race Director Attributes Illnesses to Heat
The event director for the Santa Barbara Half Marathon, David Monico, disputed the notion of anything nefarious occurring. He told Noozhawk that organizers have no reason to believe that it’s anything more than just the heat and exhaustion from the half marathon.
Monico, whose interview was also cited by NBC Los Angeles, stated that everything from his medical staff indicated the issues were heat-related. Everything from our medical staff and tent spoke to that as well,
he said. There was a lot that has been said on social media and was circulated, and so (the police are) doing their due diligence to see if there's any facts and truth behind it.
Santa Barbara recorded a high temperature of 86 degrees on Sunday. Monico noted that race transports to hospitals are not unusual on warm days, though this year’s number was higher than in previous years.
In years past, we've had overcast skies or less warm temperatures this time of year, so we have not had this many transports, but there's always a handful,
he said. But this year, it was more than we've had in the past. We also had more runners than we've had in the past as well.
Multiple medical calls came in near the end of the Santa Barbara Half Marathon and Cottage Hospital says 19 were admitted to the emergency room. It's unknown if there were other sick runners that did not get medical help. An investigation is underway by police and organizers. pic.twitter.com/nfC8xenmOO
Working with his medical team, Monico told KSBY that the symptoms at the time of transport were not uncommon for an endurance event on a warm day.
That is not to diminish the severity of an individual being taken to a hospital. Our team's goal, as with any endurance event production, is to get people home safely. We hope that each of the participants returns safely to their family and friends,
he said in a statement to KSBY.
Hospital Reports “Larger Than Expected” Visits
Cottage Health officials reported a larger than expected
number of emergency visits linked to the race. Public Relations Manager Cristina Cortez told Santa Barbara News-Press that 19 participants arrived at the emergency departments with similar symptoms of undetermined cause.
This morning 19 participants arrived at Cottage EDs, a number of them with similar symptoms of undetermined cause. We are working to determine whether this is due to the heat or other factors.
Cristina Cortez, Cottage Health Public Relations Manager
The Santa Barbara City Fire Department Battalion Chief Cory Cloud told Noozhawk that emergency crews responded to several areas along the race route between 9:40 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., transporting 12 people to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and three to Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital. He said four others self-transported to the hospitals.
Social Media Rumors Clash with Official Statements
Despite official statements attributing the symptoms to heat, rumors spread rapidly on social media. Neither hospitals, police, nor event organizers have confirmed these claims.
When asked about the speculations over social media, Monico said, that would be a very unusual doing for any race across the country.
He added, Whether we have one transport, or 15 transports to the hospital, it feels awful.
The Santa Barbara Police Department stated that there are no particular steps the public needs to take right now. For participants who feel unwell, however, seeking medical care and adhering to advice from healthcare providers is encouraged. Authorities are requesting that anyone with knowledge—or any runner who noticed strange symptoms afterward—get in touch with Sergeant Andre Miller at 805-897-2330.
The incident occurred during the sixth annual Santa Barbara Marathon, which drew 7,500-plus registrations from 47 states and 19 countries. The event featured a youngest participant of 6 months old in the Kids Fun Run and an oldest half-marathon entrant of 83 years old. A contingent of two dozen blind runners and their guides from Blind Fitness & Eyeshine were part of the event, which was supported by more than 400 volunteers and staff.
The annual event started at 7 a.m. on Sunday, starting on Cabrillo Boulevard and ending on State Street, with multiple road closures in these areas in effect throughout the morning.
