US runners led off course in chaotic half-marathon given entry to world championships

• Lead runners were led off course by guide vehicle

• World Athletics gives runners special entry

Three runners who were led off course in a race that served as a qualifier for the 2026 World Road Running Championships have been given entry into the upcoming competition.

Jessica McClain, Emma Grace Hurley, and Ednah Kurgat were leading the USATF Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta earlier this month when the guide vehicle took the trio off course. Molly Born, who had been more than a minute behind the leaders, came through to win the race, with Carrie Ellwood and Annie Rodenfels in second and third. McClain, Hurley and Kurgat finished in ninth, 12th and 13th respectively around two minutes behind Born.