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Imagine leading a national championship race with just over a mile to go… and then the lead vehicle sends you the wrong way.

That’s exactly what happened during the 2026 USATF Half Marathon Championship in Atlanta.

With the race nearly decided, the lead convoy turned off the certified course and the front runners followed—costing them nearly two minutes and ultimately the national title. When the athletes protested, officials admitted the course wasn’t properly marked… but the results still stood.

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we break down:

• What actually happened at mile 11
• Why the lead runners followed the convoy
• The rule that prevented officials from changing the results
• How race organizers responded afterward
• The bigger question: Who should be responsible when a race goes wrong?

Running is supposed to be simple: start, follow the course, finish.
But what happens when the course itself is the problem?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments:
If race organizers make the mistake, should the results still count?

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