Including trail running legend Liang Jiang, at least 21 athletes have died in the Huanghe Shilin Mountain Marathon in northwest China after extreme weather conditions hit the region, according to state media in the country.

According to the media, the high-altitude Huanghe Shilin Mountain Marathon began in sunny conditions on Saturday morning. But by 1 pm local time weather conditions had turned into freezing rain, hailstones, and gale winds lashing runners in Gansu County as runners climbed 6,500 feet above sea level wearing just shorts and t-shirts.

Liang Jing is one of China’s well-known ultra-marathon runners, was among those that died, a Hong Kong marathon group called Hong Kong 100 Ultra Marathon confirmed via a press release on Sunday.

The marathon organizers called off the race and launched an inquiry party of 1,200 people to scour the complicated terrain. The search operation continued after dark.

Janet Ng, a race director of the Hong Kong 100 Ultra Marathon, informed the media outlet on Sunday that she wasn’t in a position to tell on the importance or safety of the Gansu marathon, but noted that the trail-running community is mourning with great sadness.

One participant shared with local media that   “At one point, I couldn’t feel my fingers (because it was so cold). At the same time, my tongue felt frozen, too.”

151 of the total 172 race participants had been confirmed safe, with eight in hospital. Another 21 were found dead, consistent with the state-run media.