The women’s US Half Marathon Championship race in Atlanta ended in controversy after a guide vehicle took the three leading athletes the wrong way.

Jess McClain was comfortably in front of Ednah Kurgat and Emma Hurley at the head of the race when they were led off the course.

Molly Born, who had been more than a minute behind, ended up winning the race – which served towards qualification for the World Road Running Championships in September.

Carrie Ellwood and Annie Rodenfels were second and third respectively, while McClain ended up ninth as Hurley finished 12th and Kurgat in 13th.

USA Track and Field (USATF) said, external a protest by the three athletes taken the wrong way was rejected before an appeal was submitted.

It added that the jury of appeals found that “the course was not adequately marked at the point of misdirection” but that there was “no recourse within the USATF rulebook to alter the results order of finish”.

It added: “This race was a selection event for the 2026 World Road Running Championships. That team is not officially selected until May.

“USATF will review the events from Atlanta carefully. While we understand athletes are eager to resolve this issue expeditiously, our process will ensure an ultimate decision is in the best interest of all the athletes involved.”