Runners To Be Given Prize Money After Being Led Off Course

Three athletes who were led disconnected people erstwhile starring nan US half marathon title will person compensation aft yet finishing good extracurricular nan apical three.

Organisers of nan arena successful Atlanta said that constabulary assigned to people retired nan way had to respond to an emergency call, which led to disorder from nan lead vehicle.

Jess McClain, who was comfortably starring nan women's race, was taken disconnected nan main course, on pinch her closest challengers Ednah Kurgat and Emma Hurley.

The race was won by Molly Born, who had been much than a infinitesimal behind, while McClain vanished ninth, pinch Hurley coming 12th and Kurgat successful 13th.

The Atlanta Track Club said connected Tuesday it will grant first-place prize money to McClain while Hurley and Kurgat will divided nan mixed winnings for 2nd and 3rd spot arsenic they were shoulder-to-shoulder erstwhile they near nan route.

"We are responsible for nan integrity of these championships," nan nine said successful a statement.

"We regret that Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat were impacted by this incident and were incapable to beryllium recognised arsenic nan apical 3 finishers reflective of their capacity connected nan course."

Organisers said race-assigned constabulary unit responded to an "officer down" telephone and replacement officers were unfamiliar pinch nan race's "unusual route" complete a footbridge not usually utilized by cars.

The lead vehicle's driver past followed a constabulary motorcycle, believing that nan title was being rerouted.

USA Track & Field (USATF) had denied an appeal, contempt acknowledging nan people was inadequately marked., external

The title served arsenic a qualifier for nan World Road Running Championships successful September but USATF has said that action remains open.