Baiyin, China
Ultra-marathon tragedy: China’s ultra-running community was in shock this week after a 62-mile mountain race in the country’s remote northwest was hit by a freak storm, leaving at least 21 competitors dead. The runners were pelted with freezing rain and hail and battered by intense wind gusts on a high mountain pass. Many of those who died were experienced competitors, including ultra-marathon champ Liang Jing, 31, and Huang Guanjun, 34, winner of the men’s hearing-impaired marathon at China’s 2019 Paralympics. Six runners were rescued by shepherd Zhu Keming, who led them to a cave where he had stocked emergency supplies. China’s General Administration of Sport said from now on it will require organizers of ultra-races to make detailed contingency plans for weather and rescue.