Gansu Ultramarathon Turned Deadly

On May 22, 2021, runners entered the 100 km Gansu ultramarathon in the Yellow River Stone Forest near Baiyin, China, expecting tough terrain, not a survival event. Mid-race, a sudden blast of hail, freezing rain, and strong winds crashed temperatures and visibility, leaving athletes exposed on high ground. Runners began collapsing from hypothermia, and rescuers scrambled to reach people scattered across the course. By the end, 21 runners, including elite competitors, had died.

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