The Atlanta Track Club said it will compensate three women who were leading the U.S. Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta before they were mistakenly guided off course. It will award first-place prize money to Jess McClain and split the combined second- and third-place purses between Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat.
“We regret that Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley, and Ednah Kurgat were affected by this incident and could not be recognized as the top three runners reflecting their performances on the course,” the organizer said. “As race director, I take full responsibility for what happened. Athletes should never have to make the decision of following the car or the course in the middle of a race,” the race director said, according to BBC News.
Taken off the official route
The error unfolded when the leading women—McClain, Hurley, and Kurgat—were taken off the official route for approximately 1,000 meters by escort vehicles. Those included a police motorcycle, the official lead vehicle, and a media motorcycle. Organizers said a police officer was injured in an unrelated emergency, prompting a change in police deployment. Replacement officers unfamiliar with the route caused confusion that led the lead vehicle driver to follow a police motorcycle off course.
McClain said she was following the official lead vehicle when it veered away from the marked route and that she had to make a U-turn. She believes the mistake cost her a national title and a place on the world team. After being led off course, McClain finished ninth in 1:11:27, Hurley placed 12th in 1:11:38, and Kurgat finished 13th in 1:11:50. The detour allowed runners behind them to claim the podium positions. The Atlanta Track Club’s remedy directs $20,000 to McClain and $9,500 each to Hurley and Kurgat.
The winner in the race
Molly Seidel, who had trailed the leaders by more than a minute before the error, crossed the line first and took the $20,000 winner’s prize. She said she did not feel like the legitimate champion and would not accept a spot on the world team for Copenhagen if one were offered, as she did not fairly earn it. McClain, who had been competing for the national title and a berth at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, was also upset about missing qualification. Kurgat expressed on social media that she remains hopeful of making the world road running team despite the outcome.
In social media posts after the race, McClain described the experience as painful for all involved and said she believes athletes too often bear the financial and competitive consequences when things go wrong on race day. “This truly sucks for everyone involved. No one wants this outcome, ever. Mistakes happen & I am sure those who were leading us feel terrible about the outcome,” she wrote. She added, “I just hate that it’s always the athletes who have to pay the price (literally $)… time & time again.” She also said, “I’m going try my hardest to walk away from this weekend remembering the joy I felt in those moments where I thought I was on my way to becoming a National Champion & finally make Team USA outright,” and argued that “something needs to change & safeguards should be in place for athletes who are out there doing their absolute best on race day,” suggesting options like video previews or a guided tour of the course, according to Fox News.