Nathan Martin wins closest-ever Los Angeles marathon in its 40-year history | West Coast

In the final moments of last weekend’s Los Angeles marathon, the announcers were covering the finish of Michael Kimani Kamau, who was already leading, when Nathan Martin suddenly charged forward, shocking the news anchors and the audience.

Martin, 36, won in one stride, crossing the finish line a nearly imperceptible second ahead of Kamau, becoming the first Black American to win the event. Despite physical fatigue in the last kilometers of the race, he pushed himself to continue doing his best and completed the 26.2-mile race in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 18 seconds.

“It’s great to win, it’s great to be recognized, but it’s even better to push yourself and do your best,” said an exhausted Martin. he told reporter John W Davis after the race.

The finish was the closest in the 40-year history of the Los Angeles marathon and a monumental achievement for Martin, a track and cross country coach and substitute teacher at a high school in Michigan.

This marks nearly three years since Martin became the fastest U.S.-born Black marathoner by finishing the annual Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota, with an even faster time of 2 hours, 10 minutes, 45 seconds. But despite Martin’s impressive record, his second-last win came as a shock given Kamau’s lead.

Martin stayed with a group of about five to six runners for most of the race, but forced himself forward by breaking away from the group with about five miles remaining, he told reporters.

Kenya’s Kamau came into view about a mile and a half from the finish line. Athletic reportedand had a “do or die” feeling in the last 100 meters that forced him to push on.

He told Davis he was in the “injury closet” but dug deep.

“I always push myself to push, no matter what [there’s] I have someone to chase or I’m on my own because I want to know that I’m done giving everything I have,” she said. “You can’t always win, but you can always push.”

Martin crossed the finish line just before Kamau, who collapsed immediately. Commentators noted that Kamau’s performance in the final 200 meters of the race was hampered by a flag-holding spectator stepping on the track, forcing him to change direction, and then following a marathon convoy in the wrong direction before turning back in the correct direction.

In the statement made by the Los Angeles marathon organization, it was stated that no objection was made regarding the victory and the race results did not change.

“The vehicles made their scheduled exit at the intersection of Century Park West and Santa Monica Boulevard, within sight of the finish line structure, 300 meters from the finish line,” the organization said. “As in all major road racing events, our lead vehicles leave the course before approaching the finish line. Our vehicles did not make a wrong turn at this or any other point throughout the event.”

The statement said spectator behavior was a cause for concern and that the organization would “review how such issues can be avoided in the future as part of our post-race discussions.”

The organization continued: “Marathon road racing is a dynamic sport where professional athletes must combine stamina, tactical awareness and mental toughness to succeed. All of these elements were on display this weekend. Congratulations to our podium finishers and all the runners who participated in our event.”

Martin became the second American to win the Los Angeles marathon in three decades. Last year, 25-year-old Matt Richtman won the race, becoming the first American to do so since Paul Pilkington’s victory in 1994.

Martin called the win “surreal.”

“This is amazing,” he told Davis. “You hope you can handle something. It’s one of those things where you have to believe, but until you put it out there it’s just an idea.”

He ran in college and spent years constantly honing his skills. Martin had previously qualified for the US Olympic trials marathon.

The coach is dedicated to both running and his school, where cross country season begins this week. he said To run He said last summer he sometimes didn’t run until late in the evening because of coaching.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love pushing myself, testing myself and seeing what I can achieve, but the best days are when I can help them,” he said.

his trainer in question on the win: “Nathan led [marathon] for a single step today. The only important step is.”