Jess McClain Loses U.S. Half Marathon Title After Accidentally Following Lead Bike Off Course

The 34-year-old runner was well ahead of the pack when she was misdirected, finishing 9th instead of claiming her first national championship.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Jess McClain was leading the U.S. Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta by a wide margin when she accidentally followed the lead bike off the course in the final stretch. By the time McClain realized the mistake and got back on the course, she had fallen to 9th place, with Molly Born winning the national title. McClain and two other runners who were also briefly misdirected filed protests, but they were denied by USA Track & Field.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the importance of proper course markings and event organization at major running competitions. While McClain was the clear leader, the misdirection cost her a chance at her first national title and a spot on the U.S. team for the World Road Running Championships.

The details

With less than two miles to go, McClain was well ahead of the pack when she followed the lead bike off the course completely. By the time she realized the mistake and got back on the correct route, she had fallen to 9th place, over a minute behind the new leader Molly Born, who went on to win the national title with a time of 69:43. McClain finished in 1:11.27. Two other runners, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat, also briefly left the course and finished 12th and 13th respectively.

  • The U.S. Half Marathon Championships took place on Sunday, March 1, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • McClain was leading the race with less than 2 miles to go when she was misdirected.

The players

Jess McClain

A 34-year-old runner who was the clear leader of the U.S. Half Marathon Championships before accidentally following the lead bike off the course.

Molly Born

The runner who won the U.S. Half Marathon Championships with a time of 69:43 after McClain's misdirection.

Emma Grace Hurley

A runner who also briefly left the course and finished 12th.

Ednah Kurgat

A runner who also briefly left the course and finished 13th.

USA Track & Field (USATF)

The national governing body for track and field, long-distance running, and race walking in the United States, which denied the protests filed by McClain and the other misdirected runners.

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What’s next

While McClain did not earn an automatic spot on the U.S. team for the 2026 World Road Running Championships, USATF said they will review the events from Atlanta carefully and make a final decision on the team selection in May.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for race organizers to ensure proper course markings and signage to prevent misdirection of elite athletes, which can have a significant impact on the outcome of major championships. It also highlights the challenges runners face in navigating unfamiliar courses, even when they are in the lead.