Nathan Martin comes from method again to win 2026 LA Marathon – NBC Los Angeles
After 26.2 miles, about one step separated first from second Sunday in a shocking end to the 2026 Los Angeles Marathon.
American Nathan Martin summoned a strong ending kick to chase down Michael Kamau with the end line in sight throughout a dramatic ultimate act in Century Metropolis that was extra like a Hollywood ending. Kamau, of Kenya, led for a lot of the race that started at Dodger Stadium and trekked by a few of Los Angeles most storied neighborhoods.
Martin got here from effectively again to catch Kamau simply earlier than the end line, surging previous because the Kenyan prolonged his arms in a determined try to carry off the 36-year-old from Michigan. Kamau fell facedown to the bottom and was receiving medical remedy on the end space.
It was the marathon’s closest-ever end.
Martin’s time was 2:11:16.50, the identical as Kamau’s on the preliminary outcomes sheet. Enyew Nigat of Ethiopia was third with a time of two:14:22.22.
Kamau’s time on the 40K, the 24.8-mile mark, was 2:03:40 with Martin at 2:04:36. Martin was nowhere to be seen in a wide-angle digicam view from NewsChopper4 as Kamau started the stretch to the end, however Martin had been steadily closing within the ultimate mile and despatched the group lining Santa Monica Boulevard close to the nook of Avenue of the Stars right into a frenzy as he gained floor.
“A mile to go, I began seeing the tempo automotive and the lead man, and mentioned, ‘Properly possibly, we’ll see what occurs,'” Martin mentioned. “After which 800 to go, I am like, ‘All proper, I’ve to go for it, I’ve to at the very least attempt,’ and issues type of labored out.”
Martin grew to become the second American man to win the Los Angeles Marathon, becoming a member of 2025 winner Matthew Ritchman.
Kenyan Priscah Cherono led from Mile 1 to Mile 26 and logged an unofficial time of two:25:18.31.
The elite ladies began 15:45 forward of the elite males, with the general first finisher receiving a $10,000 bonus. Cherono’s unofficial time was 2:25:18.31.
