87 runners rescued after ultra-marathon derailment in Utah snowstorm

A snowstorm in October brought more than a foot of snow to the Utah mountains the same morning a 50-mile run began there. Authorities had to cancel the DC Peaks 50 and rescue 87 runners due to inclement weather, CBS Salt Lake City affiliate KUTV-TV reported.

The race started at East Mountain Wilderness Park in Kaysville at 5 a.m. on Saturday. The route was “designed to take you on trails with the best views in the area,” organizers said, before ending at Tunnel Springs Park in North Salt Lake. The average altitude of the route was 6,604 feet.

However, by 9:30 am, 12 to 18 inches of snow had fallen and the runners experienced near-white conditions. Search and rescue teams responded with snowmobiles and 4x4s and assisted 87 runners. Authorities have suspended the race atop Farmington Canyon, about 18.4 miles from the start line, KUTV reported.

All the runners have since been counted. Some were treated at the foot of the mountain for hypothermia – most runners wore only running shoes, shorts and a t-shirt – and released, officials told KUTV.

“Just a friendly reminder to be aware of the weather conditions before you head out to enjoy the great outdoors,” Davis County Sheriff’s Office officials wrote on Facebook on Saturday.

Sheriff Kelly Sparks reiterated the warning.

“Venturing into the mountains, trails and bodies of water at this time of year can be dangerous as the weather changes quickly and conditions can quickly be life threatening,” he said, according to KUTV. “Even light rain in the valley can result in blizzard conditions at higher elevations.”