Dozens of runners rescued from northern Utah mountain after extreme winter conditions

The DC Peaks 50 “ultra marathon” began in a park at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains and organizers were unaware that winter conditions were rapidly developing higher up, the sheriff told CNN.

“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 turn deadly. Even a light rain in the valley can result in blizzard conditions at higher altitudes, ”Kelly said in a statement included in a press release.

Race organizers suspended the race atop Farmington Canyon and authorities, aided by search and rescue teams, worked “for several hours” to get the runners out of the mountain safely, the statement said. Press.

“A few” runners were treated for hypothermia and released at the scene, and a person being treated for hypothermia and minor injury was also released at the scene, the statement added.

At 2:45 p.m. – just over five hours after authorities were first briefed on the situation – all of the runners were found and exited the mountain, the sheriff’s office said.

“The rapid and collaborative response from our search and rescue volunteers, race organizers and first responders from several agencies, resulted in minimal injuries and all runners returned home safely today,” said the sheriff in the press release. “I express my deep gratitude to everyone involved in this rescue effort.”