USA Track & Field has denied an appeal after its Half Marathon Championship in Atlanta ended in chaos when lead runners were guided off course. With less than two miles to go in the women's race, Jess McClain had a significant lead over Ednah Kurgat and Emma Hurley when the guide vehicle took the trio off course. Molly Born, who had been more than a minute behind, came through to win, with Carrie Ellwood and Annie Rodenfels second and third. McClain, Hurley and Kurgat finished ninth, 12th and 13th respectively, around two minutes behind Born. Wesley Kiptoo won the men's race.
McClain also missed out on the $20,000 prize awarded to the winners. In a statement, USATF said the jury of appeals found that the event did not meet Rule 243 and that the course was not adequately marked at the point of misdirection. However, the jury found no recourse within the rulebook to alter the results, which are considered final. Under race rules, athletes are responsible for knowing the route.
The race served as a qualifier for the 2026 World Road Running Championships. USATF said the door was not closed on qualification, noting that the team is not officially selected until May. USATF will review the events from Atlanta carefully to ensure an ultimate decision is in the best interest of all athletes involved. Lead vehicles are provided and managed by the local organising committee, Atlanta Track Club.
Tim Hutchings, providing broadcast commentary, said he understood the confusion. He noted that in the heat of battle, runners are laser-focused and may not check if they are still on course, especially when following a lead vehicle. McClain, 34, finished eighth in the marathon at the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
