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Jess McClain is a decorated American runner who has been on the podium in several events throughout her career and was looking to claim a victory at the US Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta over the weekend.
McClain was leading the race with about two miles left. But her career was thrown off course when a media vehicle ran her off the road, according to Athletics Illustrated. McClain reportedly followed the media vehicle, a police motorcycle and a motorcycle with a camera.
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Jessica McClain (USA) placed eighth in the women’s marathon in 2:28:32 during the World Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on September 14, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Image Images)
McClain, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat were ruled out. By the time they got back on track, McClain’s lead was gone.
He finished in ninth place, while Hurley and Kurgat finished in 12th and 13th respectively.
Atlanta Track Club Executive Director Rich Kenah took blame for the error.
Jessica McClain placed fourth in the women’s race in 2:25:46 during the US Olympic Marathon Team Trials on February 3, 2024. (Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)
“In the women’s race, a safety vehicle left the official course during Mile 11,” he said in statements to The Athletic. “As race director, I take full responsibility for what happened. Athletes should never have to make a split-second decision between following a pace vehicle or trusting the official course.
“We are conducting a full review to determine exactly how and why the vehicle departed course to strengthen safeguards in the future.”
US Track and Field (USATF) said it would review the events “carefully” as the team for the World Road Racing Championships has not been selected. The organization said the protests were denied and an appeals jury determined that “the event did not comply with USATF Rule 243 and that the course was not properly marked at the point of the deviation. This violation contributed to the deviation taken by the athletes within the top four at the time of the deviation.
“However, the appeals jury finds no recourse within USATF regulations to alter the order of arrival of the results. The order of arrival of the results as published is considered final.”
Emily Infield (left) is congratulated by Jessica McClain after winning the women’s 10,000m in 31:43.56 during the USATF Championships at Hayward Field on July 31, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Image Images)
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McClain finished fourth at the 2025 Half Marathon Championships and eighth at the World Athletics Championships.
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