70 Moab 240 Runners and Volunteers Evacuated After Storm: Officials
About 70 runners and volunteers participating in the Moab 240 ultramarathon were evacuated from the rugged outdoor race course in Utah on Sunday after being stranded overnight by a heavy rainstorm, abcnews.com reported. The severe weather left participants unable to safely leave the affected areas in Canyonlands National Park and the Bear Ears National Monument.
San Juan County Coordinates Evacuations Near Canyonlands
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office coordinated directly with race organizers on Sunday to assist the stranded participants. Destination Trail, the organization that manages the Moab 240, stated that buses were deployed to evacuate the final group of affected individuals who had been stuck at an aid station near the Bridger Jack Mesa.
“We know this isn’t how anyone hoped Moab 240 would go,” Destination Trail said in a public statement to the stranded participants. “So many of you trained for months and traveled a long way to be here, and we’re truly sorry the race ended this way. Sometimes the weather has other plans, and when it does, everyone’s safety has to come first.”
Supplies and Shelter Delivered Before the Storm
Race officials delivered extra supplies to the aid station ahead of the storm. These provisions provided the stranded runners and volunteers with heated tents, hot food, and ample water while they waited out the weather.
The Moab 240 is a grueling 241.8-mile ultramarathon. The course takes competitors through deserts, canyons, slick-rock formations, and two mountain ranges, surrounded by Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. The race began on Friday in Moab, Utah, and was originally slated to conclude on Tuesday.
Tropical Storm Rachel Fuels Regional Flooding
The heavy rainfall hitting Utah stems from the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel. After making landfall in Baja California, the storm continued sweeping across the West on Sunday, generating widespread flooding threats across Utah, Arizona, and Nevada.