The regional high school track meet at Pierce College started at around 2:30 p.m. Coaches say it was around 98 degrees at that time.
Ambulances were called to theto the campus at 6201 N. Winnetka Ave. just before 4 p.m. More than 45 firefighters and eight ambulances were dispatched.
Paramedics set up a triage area to treat stricken runners.
"The emergency responders were able to quickly triage the patients and as people started getting treated additional students were complaining of heat-related injuries and became patients themselves," said one fire official.
About 800 athletes were participating in the cross-country running competition sponsored by the Los Angeles Unified School District.
