Following the growing scrutiny of an apparent course mishap at Sunday’s U.S. Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta, Jess McClain, who believed she was set to win a national title, has made a public appeal on her behalf along with Ednah Kurgat and Emma Hurley — who were behind her.
With less than two miles McClain had already opened a gap on the lead group and continued to push the pace in what she thought would be a victory and a trip to the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen in September.
But McClain realized she had followed a race vehicle off of the course and turned back, with Hurley and Kurgat also having to change direction since they were off of the route.
When McClain, Hurley and Kurgat rejoined the correct remainder of the course, they were unable to make up for the error, with McClain finishing in ninth in 1:11.27. Hurley was twelfth in 1:11:38 and Kurgat in thirteenth 1:11:50.
Molly Born won the women’s race in 1:09:43, with Carrie Ellwood (1:09:47) and Annie Rodenfels (1:10:12) rounding out the podium in automatic qualifiers that presumably would have gone to McClain, Hurley and Kurgat.
In the men’s race, Wesley Kiptoo won in 1:01:15 and there were no reports of any issue on the course.
Formal protests and appeals were filed on behalf of McClain, Hurley and Kurgat and were denied by USA Track & Field.
In a statement, USATF said it 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.”
McClain not only lost the race, world championship qualifier and her appeal, but also the $20,000 prize that came with a win.
After the race, she voiced her frustration in a post on social media, in a plea for clarity — and correction — of what likely impacted the the race outcome.
“This truly sucks for everyone involved. No one wants this outcome, ever,” she said. “Mistakes happen & I am sure those who were leading us feel terrible about the outcome. I just hate that the athletes are ALWAYS the ones who pay the price (literally $$$)… time & time again.”
McClain called for measure to be put in place to prevent similar mistakes in elite-level events.
“Something needs to change & safeguards should be in place for athletes who are out there doing their absolute best on race day,” she said. “Someone needs to care enough to do something. Anything. I love this sport so damn much & just want to help make it better for our younger pros & all of the amazing athletes to come.”
Meanwhile, Hurley and Kurgat echoed McClain’s comments since they also likely missed out on podium finishes, prize money and spots on Team USA’s world championship roster.
Last year, after making the team for the 2025 World Road Running Championships, the event was canceled,” Hurley said in a social media post. “The hardest part for me was that there was nothing I could have done differently to have a different outcome. A year later, we were led (significantly) off course late in the race, and there wasn’t enough time to have the opportunity to fight our way back into contention. Again, the hardest thing for me is that there is nothing I could have done differently to change the outcome.”
Kurgat, however, was hopeful that some action would be taken and she would still be allowed to join the team at world championships.
“The final stretch of our race became a heartbreaking moment,” Kurgat said in a post on social media. “We train so hard and look forward to making teams that create unforgettable memories. Despite the disappointment, I’m still holding on to hope that we’ll make it to Copenhagen for the World Road Running Championships.”
Atlanta Track Club, the organizer of the race also addressed the controversy and took blame for what occurred in the women’s event. Race director Rich Kenah said his team is reviewing the matter to figure out why the vehicle exited the course.
“In the women’s race, a pace vehicle left the official course during Mile 11,” Kenah said in a statement. “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 Ednah Kurgat — are made whole,” he added.
