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USATF Upholds Results After Lead Vehicle Misguides Women’s Leaders at U.S. Half Marathon

Atlanta organizers take responsibility, launching a review after the Mile 11 misdirection.

Overview

  • The guide/pace vehicle left the official route near Mile 11, and Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat followed it about 400 meters before turning back.
  • Molly Born, more than a minute behind before the error, won in 1:09:43, with Carrie Ellwood second and Annie Rodenfels third.
  • USATF confirmed the course was not adequately marked under Rule 243 but said the rulebook provides no mechanism to change the order of finish, so posted results stand.
  • The Atlanta Track Club accepted responsibility, said it is conducting a full review of how the vehicle left the course, and pledged to work to make the affected athletes whole.
  • The race was a selection event for the 2026 World Road Running Championships, and USATF said team selection remains open and will be reviewed ahead of a May decision; the men’s race, won by Wesley Kiptoo, was unaffected.