The leaders took the wrong route by driving in the US Half Marathon Championship race

The US Women’s Half Marathon Championship race in Atlanta ended in controversy after a pilot car took the three leading athletes in the wrong direction.

Jess McLean was comfortably ahead of Edna Kurgat and Emma Hurley at the head of the race when they were pulled off the track.

Molly Bourne, who was more than a minute behind, ended up winning the race – which served as a qualifier for the World Road Running Championships in September.

Carrie Elwood and Annie Rodenfels placed second and third respectively, while McLean finished ninth, Hurley placed 12th and Korgat placed 13th.

USA Track and Field (USATF) said., external The three athletes’ protest was wrongly dismissed before the appeal was filed.

She added that the jury found that “the course was not adequately marked at the point of the foul” but that “there was no right within the USATF rule book to change the order of results for the finish.”

“This race was a selection event for the 2026 World Road Running Championships. This team was not officially selected until May,” she added.

“The USATF will carefully review the events from Atlanta. While we recognize that athletes are eager to resolve this matter quickly, our process will ensure that the final decision is in the best interests of all athletes involved.”