CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Extreme heat sent five students athletes to the hospital Saturday in Cedar Rapids, and 13 others were treated by medics on the scene for heat-related illness.
More than 3,000 student athletes from 23 different schools were competing in the cross country meet at College Community Schools.
It was foggy when the meet started, but when the fog cleared just after 10:00 a.m. the temperature and humidity rose quickly to very high levels.
Several athletes became ill and required medical treatment. KCRG TV 9 reports emergency responders and school trainers treated the patients. None of the students appeared to have life-threatening illnesses.
Officials cancelled the sixth and final race of the meet. Officials said the school had more than 50 volunteers assisting with the event and an ambulance on standby in the event of any emergency.