Three American distance runners will receive special entries to the 2026 World Road Running Championships after being led off course during a qualifying race earlier this month.

Jessica McClain, Emma Grace Hurley, and Ednah Kurgat were leading the USATF Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta when the guide vehicle directing the race took the trio off the correct course. The incident occurred during a race that served as a qualifier for the upcoming world championships.

As a result of being misdirected, the three runners lost their leading positions and finished well behind the eventual winner. Molly Born, who had been trailing the leaders by more than a minute at the time of the incident, came through to win the race. Carrie Ellwood and Annie Rodenfels finished second and third respectively.

McClain, Hurley and Kurgat ultimately placed ninth, 12th and 13th, finishing approximately two minutes behind Born due to the course error.

World Athletics has now granted the United States permission to field three additional runners in the women's half-marathon at this year's World Road Running Championships to compensate for the mishap. The decision allows the affected athletes to compete despite not finishing in qualifying positions due to circumstances beyond their control.