USATF Denies Protest After Half Marathon Championship Course Blunder

Jury of Appeals refuses to change results despite acknowledging misdirection of top runners

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The recently concluded USATF Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta came under scrutiny after the lead bike misdirected the top three runners, Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley, and Edna Kurgat, off course. As a result, Molly Born, who was behind the leaders, won the race. Several athletes protested the results, but the USATF denied the protest, though it acknowledged the course misdirection. The jury of appeals found no recourse within the USATF rulebook to alter the final results.

Why it matters

The Half Marathon Championship is a selection event for the 2026 World Road Running Championships, and the USATF's decision not to change the results has significant implications for the athletes' chances of making the US team. This controversy highlights the importance of proper course marking and the challenges faced by governing bodies in addressing unexpected situations during major competitions.

The details

The lead bike that determined the course direction led Jess McClain and the other two runners, Emma Grace Hurley and Edna Kurgat, off course. As a result, Molly Born, who was way behind the lead runners, won the race with a time of 1 hour, 9 minutes, and 43 seconds. Several athletes protested against the alleged mistreatment of McClain and the other two runners and demanded a review of the results. The USATF denied the protest but allowed them to submit an appeal, as per the standard procedures. The jury of appeals found that the event did not meet USATF Rule 243 and that the course was not adequately marked at the point of misdirection, which contributed to the runners being led off course.

  • The Half Marathon Championships were recently concluded in Atlanta, Georgia.

The players

Jess McClain

One of the top runners who was misdirected off course during the race.

Emma Grace Hurley

One of the top runners who was misdirected off course during the race.

Edna Kurgat

One of the top runners who was misdirected off course during the race.

Molly Born

The runner who won the race after the top runners were misdirected off course.

USATF

The governing body for track and field in the United States that organized the Half Marathon Championships and denied the protest filed by the athletes.

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What they’re saying

“Following the completion of the USATF Half Marathon Championship in Atlanta, a protest was filed by athletes in the women's field who followed a lead vehicle off course. That protest was denied, and an appeal was submitted.”

— USATF (Press statement)

“The jury of appeals found that the event did not meet USATF Rule 243 and that the course was not adequately marked at the point of misdirection. This violation contributed to the misdirection taken by the athletes within the top four at the time of misdirection. However, the jury of appeals finds no recourse within the USATF rulebook to alter the results order of finish. The results order of finish as posted is considered final.”

— USATF (Press statement)

What’s next

The USATF has stated that the winners of this race won't automatically qualify for the US team bound for the 2026 World Road Running Championships. The apex body will review the events from Atlanta carefully, and the final team selection will be announced in May.

The takeaway

This controversy highlights the importance of proper course marking and the challenges faced by governing bodies in addressing unexpected situations during major competitions. The USATF's decision not to change the results, despite acknowledging the course misdirection, has significant implications for the athletes' chances of making the US team for the 2026 World Road Running Championships.