Four runners in ultramarathon suffer serious burns after wildfire hits course

PERTH, Australia – Four runners taking part in a 100-kilometre international ultramarathon have suffered serious burns after being trapped in a gorge by a wildfire in Western Australia state’s Kimberley region.

Royal Flying Doctor Service spokesperson Joanne Hill said Saturday that two women, aged 36 and 24, were in a critical condition at Darwin Hospital after suffering burns over 60 to 80 per cent of their bodies. She said two men, aged in their 40s and 50s, had less serious burns following the Friday incident.

The runners were not immediately identified and the race was cancelled. The Kimberley Ultramarathon was part of the Racing the Planet Series and organizers said last month that it would attract 100 competitors from 30 countries.