INDIANAPOLIS – Following circumstances at the USATF Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta that led three athletes off course, World Athletics has approved a one-time, exceptional expanded entry for the women’s half marathon at the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark this September.
Thanks to World Athletics, USA Track & Field will be permitted to enter seven women, rather than the standard four. The team spots will be offered to the three athletes who were led off course—Jessica McClain, Emma Grace Hurley, and Ednah Kurgat—along with the top three official finishers from the championship race: Molly Born, Carrie Ellwood and Annie Rodenfels. A final spot will go to an athlete based on world rankings as of May 5.
While only four athletes will be eligible to contribute to team scoring, all seven entrants will be eligible to earn World Athletics ranking points.
This decision follows a formal request from USATF CEO Max Siegel and subsequent collaboration between USATF leadership and World Athletics.
“From the moment this happened, our focus was on doing right by the athletes,” said USA Track & Field CEO Max Siegel. “Jessica, Emma Grace, and Ednah had clearly separated themselves in the race and we are sorry they did not get to celebrate their accomplishment by breaking the tape. On behalf of everyone at USA Track & Field, I want to thank World Athletics. Their council and leadership are committed to a fair and athlete-centered solution that preserves the integrity of competition while recognizing the reality of what occurred in Atlanta.”
During the Atlanta race, an extraordinary chain of events—including the injury of a police officer—resulted in the lead vehicle directing the front pack off course just after the 12-mile mark. At the time, McClain, Hurley, and Kurgat held a decisive lead over the field. In recognition of their position in the race, they were previously named to an honorary podium, awarded USATF Road Running Circuit points, and received top-three prize money from Atlanta Track Club.
For the World Championships, Team USATF will designate 4 scoring athletes and 3 non-scoring athletes. The scorers will be determined with input from the athletes once the final team is known and all athletes have accepted their place on the team.
Non-scoring athletes will be recognized as official members of Team USATF and eligible for individual ranking points, but will wear a distinct team kit and may not form a pack with scoring athletes during competition USATF will cover all expenses associated with the additional entries. Should any non-scoring athletes finish in a prize-eligible position, USATF will also provide the corresponding prize money.
The full U.S team for the World Road Running Championships will be named following the USATF 1 Mile Championships on April 22 and the USATF 5K Championships on May 2. The World Athletics Road Running Championships will be held September 19-20.