Nathan Martin, a 36-year-old substitute teacher and cross-country coach from Michigan, won the Los Angeles marathon in the closest finish in the event's 40-year history. He edged out frontrunner Michael Kimani Kamau of Kenya by a fraction of a second, crossing the line in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 18 seconds.
Martin became the first Black American to win the race and only the second American man to do so in three decades. The finish was so tight that announcers were already narrating Kamau's victory when Martin surged ahead in the final stride.
Kamau, who had led for much of the race, collapsed after the finish. Controversy arose when a spectator holding a flag stepped onto the course in the final 200 metres, forcing Kamau to veer, and he briefly followed a marathon motorcade in the wrong direction before correcting. The Los Angeles marathon organisation confirmed no protests were filed and the results stood.
Martin, who also holds the record for fastest US-born Black marathoner, said: 'It's awesome to win, but it's even better to push yourself and achieve whatever you can.' He plans to continue coaching and running, with his cross-country season just beginning.
