Twenty-one people, including two of China’s top marathon athletes, died after freezing rain and high winds struck a 62-mile ultramarathon in northwestern China, local officials said on Sunday.
Two of China’s top elite runners were among 21 who died at the start of an ultra marathon in Gansu. Runners were just a few hours in when rain turned to hail and strong winds blasted through some of the most challenging parts of the race course.
Some Chinese media are beginning to provide harrowing accounts from runners and eye witnesses. Blame is being directed at the local government that organized the event.
One runner’s call to turn around saved his life bc the race wasn’t called off until later. “At that time, I couldn’t see the way down the mountain. Many runners were lying on the side of the track. Some of them might have died.” via The Paper
