US half marathon championship: Runners to be given prize money after being led off course

Three athletes who veered off course while leading the U.S. half marathon championship will receive compensation after ultimately finishing well outside the top three.

Event organizers in Atlanta said police marking the route had to respond to an emergency call, causing confusion for the lead vehicle.

Jess McClain, who was comfortably leading the women’s race, was dropped from the main course, along with her closest challengers Ednah Kurgat and Emma Hurley.

The race was won by Molly Born, who was more than a minute behind, while McClain finished ninth, Hurley 12th and Kurgat 13th.

The Atlanta Track Club announced Tuesday that it would award first place to McClain, while Hurley and Kurgat would share the combined winnings for second and third place, as they were next to each other when they left the road.

“We are responsible for the integrity of these championships,” the club said in a statement.

“We regret that Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat were affected by this incident and were unable to be recognized as the top three, reflecting their performance on the course.”

Organizers said police personnel assigned to the race responded to an “officer down” call and that replacement officers were unfamiliar with the race’s “unusual route” on a walkway normally used by cars.

The driver of the lead vehicle then followed a police motorcycle, believing the course was diverted.

USA Track & Field (USATF) rejected the appeal, while recognizing that the course was not properly marked., external

The race served as a qualifier for the World Road Running Championships in September, but USATF said selection remained open.