Michigan High School Coach Wins LA Marathon in Photo Finish

Nathan Martin beats Kenyan runner by 0.01 seconds in dramatic sprint to the finish line.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 3:25pm

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High school coach Nathan Martin of Michigan won the Los Angeles Marathon in a stunning photo finish, beating Kenyan competitor Michael Kimani Kamau by just 0.01 seconds in a dramatic sprint to the end. Martin, who coaches cross country and track, surged ahead in the final mile and kicked it into high gear in the last 800 meters to overtake Kamau right at the finish line.

Why it matters

Martin's thrilling victory marks the second consecutive year an American has won the LA Marathon, ending a 31-year drought for U.S. runners. His win is a source of pride for his high school athletes and the local community, showcasing the talent and determination of American distance runners.

The details

According to Martin, he was running with a pack but pulled ahead with about 5 miles left in the race. He realized he had a shot at the gold in the final mile and kicked it into high gear in the last 800 meters, overtaking Kamau in the very last second to finish in 2:11:16.50, just 0.01 seconds ahead of the Kenyan runner.

  • The LA Marathon took place on March 9, 2026.
  • Martin's victory marks the second consecutive year an American has won the race, following Illinois native Matt Richtman's 2025 performance.

The players

Nathan Martin

A high school cross country and track coach from Michigan who won the 2026 Los Angeles Marathon in a dramatic photo finish.

Michael Kimani Kamau

A Kenyan runner who finished second in the 2026 Los Angeles Marathon, just 0.01 seconds behind Nathan Martin.

Matt Richtman

An Illinois native who won the 2025 Los Angeles Marathon, ending a 31-year drought for American runners.

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What they’re saying

“I'm like, 'Hey, I need to go for it,' and started pushing, and then that last hundred [meters] I said, 'I got a chance and I'm gonna try and take it.'”

— Nathan Martin, High School Coach

What’s next

Martin plans to consult with his own coach to determine what's next, but for now he is resting his legs after the grueling marathon.

The takeaway

Nathan Martin's dramatic victory in the 2026 Los Angeles Marathon is a testament to the talent and determination of American distance runners, ending a 31-year drought for U.S. runners and inspiring pride in his high school athletes and local community.