About 70 ultramarathon runners evacuated in Utah after flooding strands them
Around 70 participants in the Moab 240 ultramarathon in Utah were evacuated on Sunday after flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel stranded them on the course. The race was cancelled, and organizers say all runners are safe.
About 70 runners in the Moab 240 ultramarathon in the US state of Utah were safely evacuated from the course on Sunday after flooding left them stranded. The flooding stemmed from the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel. The race organizer, Destination Trail, said in a social media statement that all runners were accounted for and safe.
Runners had either returned to race headquarters or were in vehicles on their way back. Organizers said everyone got out safely despite the severe weather.
Race called off
After careful discussion, organizers decided to cancel the Moab 240, saying conditions had become too dangerous to continue safely. They had received reports of aid station structures blowing away, trees falling, and wind, rain and freezing temperatures, and they expected conditions to worsen overnight. Parts of the course were badly affected by fallen trees, strong winds, dangerously cold temperatures and heavy rain.
The local sheriff's office coordinated relief efforts with race organizers to help affected participants. Shuttles and personnel were sent to pick up the runners.
Storm's wider impact
Rachel had also been forecast to bring heavy wind and rain to northern Mexico and southern California. The US National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for parts of San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties.
The Salt Lake City news outlet KUTV reported that the storm's remnants were still moving across Utah on Monday. A flood watch remained in effect across most of the state through Monday afternoon.
