Storm Rachel Forces Evacuation of Hundreds at Utah Ultra-Marathon
Around 70 participants and volunteers were rescued from the Moab 240 ultramarathon after heavy rain from Storm Rachel stranded them at an aid station.
Heavy rain from the remnants of Storm Rachel hit Utah on Sunday, trapping about 70 athletes and volunteers participating in the Moab 240 ultramarathon. The race, which began on Friday and was slated to run until Tuesday, covers 241.8 miles across the desert. Organizers had stocked aid stations with additional safety equipment in anticipation of tough weather, but the storm escalated beyond acceptable safety thresholds.
Runners were confined to the nearest aid station as officials assessed the situation. The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office coordinated the evacuation, using buses to move the stranded participants off the course. Destination Trail, the event’s organizer, issued an apology, noting that months of training and travel could not outweigh the need for safety. The incident underscores the challenges of holding extreme endurance events in unpredictable weather conditions.
Why it matters
It shows how extreme weather can abruptly end endurance events, putting participants' safety at risk.
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