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≡ USATF HALF MARATHON CHAMPS ≡
“In the women’s race, a pace vehicle left the official course during Mile 11. As Race Director, I take full responsibility for what occurred. Athletes should never have to make a split-second decision between following a pace vehicle or trusting the official course.
“We are conducting a full review to determine exactly how and why the vehicle left the course to strengthen safeguards moving forward. Atlanta Track Club will make best efforts to ensure the affected athletes – Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley, and Edna Kurgat – are made whole.”
That’s from Rich Kenah, the Atlanta Track Club chief executive, explaining the incident in which the three women leading the USATF National Half Marathon Championships race in Atlanta on Sunday (1st) were led off course by the lead vehicle.
At the 15 km split (9.3 miles), Hurley, Kurgat and McClain were running together at 49:11, with Carrie Ellwood fourth in 49:16 and then eventual “winner” Molly Born fifth in 49:32.
McClain, Hurley and Kurgat had to turn around and rejoin the actual course around the 12-mile mark, with only a little more than a mile to go. At the 20 km split (12.4 miles), McClain was 11th and 1:46 behind Born, now the leader.
In the end, Born won in 1:09:43, with McClain ninth in 1:11:27, Hurley 12th (1:11:38) and Kurgat 13th (1:11:50).
There were quite a lot at stake in the race, including selection for the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen (DEN) in September, plus prize money for the top 10 finishers, of $20,000-12,000-7,500-5,000-3,000-2,500-2,000-1,500-1,000-500.
USA Track & Field issued a statement on Sunday that noted:
● “This race was a selection event for the 2026 World Road Running Championships. That team is not officially selected until May. USATF will review the events from Atlanta carefully. While we understand athletes are eager to resolve this issue expeditiously, our process will ensure an ultimate decision is in the best interest of all the athletes involved.”
● “[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. 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.’”
Winner Born told Race Results Weekly, “I shouldn’t go to Copenhagen. I shouldn’t. I’m fine. I’m not going to fight for my spot.”
Ellwood also went slightly off course, but was re-directed by an official on a motorcycle onto the correct course. That official went and got the leader to turn around. McClain said afterwards that her wrist GPS indicated she actually ran 21.9 km (13.6 miles), costing her more than two minutes.
The men’s race had no such problems, won by Wesley Kiptoo in 1:01:15.
Observed: This stuff happens, unfortunately and the issues are magnified in championship races.
There is no solution other than preparation, but it points the way to more use of loop courses wherever possible to lessen confusion. The Atlanta course was a single, large loop for the Half, but two loops for the Atlanta Marathon. Signage also helps, but there are never enough signs to ensure everyone stays on course.
Painting lines on the streets is also a help, but cities dislike them as they confuse drivers and riders once the race is over.
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