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Atlanta Track Club Accepts Blame in USATF Half Marathon Wrong Turn and Pays Affected Leaders

An 'officer down' call left a key intersection unconed, causing the lead vehicle to stray and three front-runners to go off course near the finish.

Overview

  • The club completed its review and will match prize money: Jess McClain will receive the $20,000 first-place purse, and Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat will split the second- and third-place awards.
  • USATF found the course was not adequately marked at the point of misdirection but said protests and appeals could not change the posted order of finish.
  • The wrong turn came with roughly 1–2 miles remaining, sent the leaders about 1 kilometer off course, and left them finishing ninth, 12th and 13th.
  • Team USA selection for the World Road Running Championships will be reviewed further and is not final until May, leaving qualification unresolved for now.
  • Official winner Molly Born said she does not plan to accept a Worlds spot because she believes she did not fairly earn it.