Extreme weather turns China ultramarathon into tragedy: at least 21 dead

The 100-kilometer race started on Saturday in an area on a bend in the Yellow River, known for its sheer cliffs and rocky columns. The route would take runners through canyons and hills on a barren plateau at a height of more than 1000 meters.

The race started at 9:00 a.m. local time with runners dressed in t-shirts and shorts under cloudy skies, according to photos posted on social media.

Around noon on Saturday a section of the race was affected by hail, freezing rain and gales This caused temperatures to drop in that part of China, officials from Baiyin City said in a briefing on Sunday.

“The rain was getting heavier and heavier,” said Mao Shuzhi, who at the time was running about 15 miles. Shivering with cold, he turned around before the high altitude stretch, due to previous bad experiences with hypothermia.

“At first I felt a bit regretful, thinking that maybe it was a temporary downpour, but when later I saw the high winds and rain through my bedroom window. ‘hotel, I felt good about making the decision, ”Mao told Reuters.

Due to the change of weather a huge rescue effort was launched, with the dispatch of more than 1,200 people assisted by thermal imaging drones, radar detectors and demolition equipment, according to the local press.

A landslide caused by bad weather also hampered rescue efforts, authorities said in Baiyin, about 1,000 km west of Beijing.

A total of 172 people took part in the race. As of Sunday, 151 participants were confirmed to be safe. The last missing runner was found dead on Sunday morning, bringing the death toll to 21, Chinese state media reported.

The deaths have sparked public outrage on Chinese social media, with anger directed primarily at the Baiyin government and discontent at the lack of contingency plans.

“Why didn’t the government read the weather forecast and do a risk assessment?” One person wrote. “This is a man-made calamity. Even though the weather has changed unexpectedly, where were the contingency plans?”