Nathan Martin wins the LA Marathon by a hundredth of a second

The 41st Los Angeles Marathon on Sunday ended with the closest finish in its history. Nathan Martin of the United States and Michael Kimani Kamau of Kenya were both timed at 2:11:17 into Century City. Martin was given the win by one hundredth of a second. The old closest margin was seven seconds, set by Elisha Barno in 2019.

Kamau had led most of the way. Martin said he made his move about five miles out when nobody else picked up the pace, and had the gap down to almost nothing with 800 metres to go. In the last 300 metres lead vehicles were leaving the course and a spectator with a flag ran onto the road; Kamau broke stride, then fell at the line as Martin came past. Officials reviewed the footage. No protest was filed and the result stands. Enyew Nigat of Ethiopia was third, about three minutes back.

Martin is 36, a substitute teacher and cross country coach at Jackson High School in Michigan, a three-time NAIA champion at Spring Arbor and seventh at the 2024 Olympic Trials. He is the second American man to win LA since 1994, after Matt Richtman last year.

Priscah Cherono of Kenya won the women's race in 2:25:19 and led from mile one to the finish. She is 45, a mother of three training in Colorado Springs, and this was only her second professional marathon. Kellyn Taylor was second in 2:27:36 and Antonina Kwambai third in 2:28:50. Cherono also collected the $10,000 Marathon Chase bonus, with the women starting 15:45 ahead of the men.

More than 27,000 people ran, over 9,000 of them their first marathon. A hundredth of a second. Twenty-six miles.

Sources: NBC Los Angeles; Marathon Handbook.