China ultramarathon: inquiry launched after 21 runners die in cold weather

[cinematicdiversions]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/24/china-ultramarathon-inquiry-launched-after-21-runners-die-in-cold-weather


In a report on Friday, the provincial meteorological bureau had issued warnings for “sudden heavy showers, hail, lightning, [and] sudden gale-force winds” across Gansu. State media reported temperatures plunging far below zero, pelting runners with rain, hail and sleet.

In response to the tragedy, China’s sports governing body ordered improvements in safety managements in national sport events, including detailed contingency plans for incidents and measures for emergency cancellations, saying there were “problems and deficiencies” in the management model for races.

Among the dead were elite runners, including the 31-year-old record-holder Liang Jing, who leaves behind a two-year-old daughter, and the Paralympian Huang Ganjun.

Liang had won a number of Chinese ultramarathons in recent years while Huang won the men’s hearing-impaired marathon at the 2019 National Paralympic Games.




Honestly, a wild story out of China. I guess it is hard to imagine an entire race freezing to death like this. Esp. top athletes.

[Wingus Dingus]

1. Seems hard to believe that they couldn't turn around once the weather

proved to be too much, but maybe it hit so fast that they were trapped at high elevation.

[malaise]

2. This is unprecedented

Really bad planning - how did they not know the weather forecast?