On May 22, during a 100km mountain cross-country competition in Baiyin, Gansu province, 21 of Chinas top runners died after being caught in a sudden storm and freezing temperatures. The tragedy shocked China and the rest of the world. The local government, which organised the race, has been heavily criticised by the public for not providing enough emergency equipment, chaotic event management, and for not releasing details of the victims in a timely manner. During the tragedy, there were local
