Nathan Martin sprints to back-to-back LA Marathon victory in final-second thriller
Nathan Martin has claimed victory at the Los Angeles Marathon for the second year running. His win came after a dramatic final sprint, overtaking long-time leader Michael Kimani Kamau by less than a second. The race also saw strong performances in the wheelchair divisions and a second professional marathon win for Kenya's Priscah Cherono.
Michael Kimani Kamau dominated most of the race, holding the lead until the closing moments. As he approached the finish line, he collapsed and required immediate medical attention. Nathan Martin seized the opportunity, surging ahead in the final stretch to secure his back-to-back title.
Priscah Cherono, a 45-year-old Kenyan, won the women's race in 2:25:19. She previously competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, representing Kenya in the 5,000 metres. This victory marks her second professional marathon win.
In the wheelchair divisions, Miguel Jimenez Vergara took the men's title with a time of 1:42:12. Hannan Babalola claimed her third women's wheelchair victory, finishing in 1:33:42.
Martin's last-second triumph ensures his name stays atop the Los Angeles Marathon rankings. Cherono's win adds another achievement to her long-distance career, while Babalola's third wheelchair title solidifies her dominance in the event. Kamau's collapse at the finish line remains a notable moment in this year's race.
