Nathan Martin Wins Closest LA Marathon in History With Thrilling Photo Finish

The streets of Los Angeles witnessed something Sunday that had never been seen in the 41-year history of the city's marathon: a finish so tight, so breathtakingly close, that race officials had to huddle over the photo for a full five minutes before declaring a winner. When they finally looked up, the name on everyone's lips was Nathan Martin.

Martin, a 31-year-old from Michigan who now trains in the high altitudes of Flagstaff, out-leaned Ethiopia's Tesfaye Alemayu in the final stride, winning by a margin of just one second — officially 2:08:51 to 2:08:52. It was the smallest winning margin ever recorded at the Los Angeles Marathon, and it turned the finish line at Avenue of the Stars into a cauldron of raw emotion. Martin collapsed onto the blue mat, not from exhaustion alone, but from the sheer weight of knowing he'd just bagged the biggest win of his career in the most dramatic way possible.

A Battle of Will on Santa Monica Boulevard

The final mile was a two-man chess game. Alemayu, known for his ferocious kick, tried to shake Martin three separate times. But Martin, who runs with a stoic, almost serene expression, refused to budge. "I just kept telling myself, 'Stick on him like glue,'" Martin said after the race, still catching his breath. "I knew if I was within striking distance at the last turn, I had a shot. I've visualized that dip at the finish line a thousand times." That visualization paid off. As they approached the banner, Martin dipped lower, his torso crossing the line a fraction of a second before Alemayu's lunge.

The victory instantly elevates Martin into the conversation for the U.S. Olympic trials later this year. But for those who know him, this moment has been years in the making. Unlike the brash, trash-talking athletes you see in other sports, Martin is a different breed — a thoughtful, introspective runner who is just as likely to be found with his nose in a book as he is logging 120-mile weeks.

The Thinking Man’s Runner

When asked about his post-race plans, Martin laughed and admitted he's looking forward to some serious downtime. "I've got a stack of books that's been staring at me for six months," he said. "First up is Martin Short's autobiography, I Must Say: My Life As a Humble Comedy Legend. I need a good laugh after that." It's that balance of intensity and levity that endears him to fans. But his reading list isn't all jokes. Martin, who holds a degree in kinesiology, has a deep interest in the science of movement. He often references Case Studies in Adapted Physical Education: Empowering Critical Thinking as a text that shaped his understanding of how the body can overcome limitations — a philosophy he applies to his own grueling training.

And then there's the history buff side. Teammates joke that Martin can quote chapter and verse on just about anything. He recently finished Long Before Luther: Tracing the Heart of the Gospel From Christ to the Reformation, a sign that his contemplative nature runs deep. "Running gives you a lot of time to think," he said with a shrug. "Might as well think about something worthwhile."

Cherono Dominates Women’s Race; Other Notable Finishes

While Martin was battling to the wire, the women's race was a masterclass in control. Kenya's Priscah Cherono broke away from the pack at Mile 18 and never looked back, crossing the line in 2:25:17, a full three minutes ahead of her nearest competitor. It was Cherono's first major marathon win on U.S. soil, and she dedicated it to her training partners back in Iten.

The day was also notable for a few other familiar names. Ken Martin — no relation to Nathan, but a well-respected ultrarunner from Colorado — finished 14th overall in his debut at the classic 26.2-mile distance, proving he has the chops for road racing as well as trails.

Here’s a look at some of the key numbers from the historic day:

• Closest finish ever: Nathan Martin's 1-second victory breaks the previous record of a 2-second win set back in 1998.
• Perfect weather: Temperatures hovered in the low 60s with overcast skies — ideal running conditions that helped over 90% of the 24,000 registered runners finish.
• Prize money: Martin takes home $12,000 for the win, plus a $5,000 time bonus for breaking 2:10.
• Wheelchair division: Aaron Pike of Illinois continued his dominance, winning the men's wheelchair race in 1:28:44.

As the sun set over Santa Monica, Nathan Martin sat on the media stage, the winner's laurel wreath resting on his knee. He was already fielding questions about Boston, about the trials, about what comes next. But for a moment, he just looked out at the crowd of reporters and volunteers. "You know," he said quietly, "I think I'm going to remember that last step for the rest of my life." Given how close it was, he's not the only one.