Extreme weather in China kills 20 in cross-country running race

The race was halted when some of the 172 runners went missing, and a rescue operation was launched. [Photo: Xinhua]

At least 20 people were killed when extremely cold weather struck during a 100-km (62-mile) cross-country running race on Saturday in China's northwestern Gansu province, local government officials said on Sunday.

Eight were lightly injured and one remained missing as of 8:00 a.m. Beijing time (0000 GMT) on Sunday, officials from Baiyin city told a news briefing.