Controversy at USATF Half Marathon Championship

Runners led off course in final mile, affecting podium finishers

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The USA Track & Field (USATF) women's half marathon championship in Atlanta on Sunday was marred by controversy, as the four runners leading the race were inadvertently led off the course by the guide vehicle with just over a mile remaining. The affected runners, who were set to make the podium, ended up finishing in 9th, 12th and 13th place after being overtaken by the rest of the field. The results have been protested, but USATF ruled there is no recourse to alter the finishing order despite determining the course was not adequately marked.

Why it matters

The race was a qualification event for the world championships later this year, with the top three finishers slated to represent the US in Copenhagen. The controversy has thrown the selection process into uncertainty, as USATF reviews the situation before making the final team decision in May.

The details

According to the race organizers, the Atlanta Track Club, the incident occurred when a police officer working the race responded to a call of an officer down nearby, leaving a key intersection unattended. The lead vehicle, believing the course had been rerouted, followed a police motorcycle off the marked course, leading the four frontrunners astray. By the time the mistake was realized and the runners were redirected, they had been overtaken by the rest of the field.

  • The race began around 8:05 a.m. ET on Sunday, March 3, 2026.
  • At 8:10 a.m., the lead male athletes successfully navigated the intersection where the wrong turn occurred.
  • At 8:15 a.m., an unassigned police officer arrived to facilitate first responder vehicles, but did not have the proper equipment to prevent the wrong turn.
  • The lead vehicle made the wrong turn at 8:20 a.m., leading the four frontrunners off course.
  • Twenty-five seconds later, the originally assigned officer returned to the intersection and directed subsequent runners the correct way.

The players

Molly Born

The North Carolina runner who won the USATF women's half marathon championship, despite the controversy.

Jess McClain

One of the runners who was leading the race before being led off course, finishing 9th.

Emma Grace Hurley

One of the runners who was leading the race before being led off course, finishing 12th.

Ednah Kurgat

One of the runners who was leading the race before being led off course, finishing 13th.

Atlanta Track Club

The organization that hosted the USATF half marathon championship in Atlanta.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I don't really feel like the US champion.”

— Molly Born (CNN)

“I'm going try my hardest to walk away from this weekend remembering the joy I felt in those moments where I thought I was on my way to becoming a National Champion & finally make Team USA outright.”

— Jess McClain (Instagram)

“We regret that Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat were impacted by this incident and were unable to be recognized as the top three finishers reflective of their performance on the course.”

— Atlanta Track Club (CNN)

What’s next

USATF says it will review the situation further before selecting the runners who will compete in the world championships in Copenhagen in September.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of proper course marking and race organization to ensure the integrity of major championship events. The controversy has cast uncertainty over the selection process for the US team at the upcoming world championships.