A track star has lost a first-place finish and a $20,000 (£16,000) prize after being led off course during the final leg of the U.S. Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta. Jess McClain, who was leading the race, followed a police escort motorcycle and official lead vehicle off the designated route for approximately 1,000 metres before correcting her path.
Two other runners, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat, also took the incorrect route. Meanwhile, Molly Born, who had been over a minute behind McClain, crossed the finish line first and claimed the $20,000 prize. McClain finished ninth with a time of 1:11:27, while Born recorded 1:09:43.
McClain called on USA Track and Field (USATF) to “make things right” in an Instagram post, describing the incident as “truly sucks for everyone involved”. The organisation acknowledged the course was “not adequately marked at the point of misdirection” but said it would not alter the competition results.
Rich Kenah, CEO of the Atlanta Track Club, which managed the lead vehicles, took full responsibility for the error. “In the women’s race, a pace vehicle left the official course during Mile 11,” he said. “Athletes should never have to make a split-second decision between following a pace vehicle or trusting the official course.” The club is conducting a full review.
The race served as a selection event for the 2026 World Road Running Championships, though USATF noted the team will not be chosen until May.
