American Nathan Martin (wearing blue) shocked the world last Sunday by winning the Los Angeles Marathon in a come from behind finish, crossing the line a mere 0.01 seconds ahead of Kenya’s Michael Kimani Kamau – the narrowest win in the race’s history.
Yet how Martin managed to pull off the win was even more incredible than the win itself – proving that, in sport and in life, it truly isn’t over until it’s over.
The back story
Martin is no stranger to the roads or to overcoming odds.
A lifelong runner, his résumé is packed with impressive milestones. After college at Spring Arbor University, he placed 23rd in the 2016 Olympics Trials. He’s a 3-time NAIA National Champion, and back in 2013, he set a then-record by running a marathon in 2:19:18. In 2019, he was runner-up at the USATF 20 km Championships. His personal best marathon came in 2023, clocking in at 2:10:45, just 32 seconds faster than last Sunday’s heroic effort.
Like many amateur athletes, Martin balances his passion with real-world responsibilities. He pays the bills as a substitute teacher in his home state of Michigan, where he also coaches track and cross country, inspiring the next generation to chase their dreams.
But at 36, Martin never gave up on his own ambitions – he kept training, believing, and showing up.
What happened last Sunday
The dramatic turn of Sunday’s race unfolded with 34-year-old Kimani Kamau well ahead of the rest of the runners. Martin ran with the pack until five miles from the finish, when he made the bold decision to surge ahead. No one followed.
With a mile and a half to go, Martin knew he was gaining on Kimani Kamau – whose personal best was more than two minutes faster than his own. Martin still wasn’t sure he could close the gap, but he kept pushing.
With about 800 yards to go, Martin could see his rival and dug even deeper, drawing on reserves of energy he didn’t know he had. He closed in as Kimani Kamau struggled, and in a final burst, Martin sprinted past him in the very last stride, breaking the tape just 0.01 seconds ahead in a historic photo finish.
Was it a fluke?
After crossing the line, Kimani Kamau fell to the ground, completely spent, and was taken away on a stretcher – a testament to the effort he’d given. Despite leading most of the race, the Kenyan had followed the race lead motorcade briefly off course at their planned exit before the finish line, but he got back on track quickly. Had he not made that misstep, perhaps the outcome would be different – but perhaps Martin would have found another way to prevail. That’s the nature of competition and life itself: unpredictability, obstacles, and opportunity.
In the end, Martin was prepared and persistent. As the saying goes, luck is where preparation meets opportunity. Sometimes, fate opens a door; it’s up to you to be ready to step through it. If not, even the best chance may slip away.
The take-away
No one expected Nathan Martin to win the Los Angeles Marathon this year. Yet, against all odds, he did.
Now, Martin hopes his story will inspire his students and others to believe that anything is possible if you put in the hard work, position yourself well, and have the courage to seize the moment.
“You never know what’s going to happen,” he says. “And if you put yourself in those opportunities, you don’t know what door’s going to open up.”
He hopes his race stands as proof of “what you can do if you fight and give it all you have.”
Martin’s favorite inspirational quote? “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” (Martin Luther King, Jr.)
In other words, just do something. And then keep at it.
Every one of us has the power to reach our goals. To make change happen. Even if no one expects it of you.
Check out the dramatic race to the finish line!
Please share this post with those in your circle and remember: YOU MATTER! Keep pushing toward what you want, even when others doubt you!
