American Nathan Martin wins LA Marathon in race's closest finish ever

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Priscah Cherono, a 45-year-old mother of three from Kenya, crossed the finish line first overall to win today's Marathon Chase at the 41st Los Angeles Marathon, shortly before a dramatic come-from behind finish in the men's field.

American Nathan Martin, 36, chased down a fading Michael Kamau of Kenya to win the men's race by -00:01, in what marathon officials called the closest finish the event has ever seen.

The elite women started 15:45 ahead of the elite men, with the overall first finisher receiving a $10,000 bonus. Cherono's unofficial time was 2:25:18.31.

Martin's time was 2:11:16.50, technically the same as Kamau's. Enyew Nigat of Ethiopia was third with a time of 2:14:22.22.

Cherono represented Kenya in the 5000 meters at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She had stepped away from the sport for as while around the time of the coronavirus pandemic before mounting an unlikely comeback, winning the 2025 Marathon Project in Chandler, Arizona.

American Kellyn Taylor, 39, took second place for the women in a time of 2:27:36:00, while Antonina Kwambai of Kenya was third in 2:28:49.09.

The marathon featured a capacity field of more than 27,000. The hot weather forecasted for Sunday prompted marathon organizers to implement safety changes to the event. Runners were given the option to finish at the 18-mile mark and still receive a finisher's medal, in case conditions get too hot.

The "Race Day Weather" portion marathon's website informs runners, "If you're having a tough day and want to end your race before 26.2, you can choose to take the turn at Mile 18 and head into the finish line early. You do not need to notify anyone of your decision and can opt to take this route at any time. This option is available for this year only."

"How to find it: Just past Mile 18 on Santa Monica Boulevard, look for the Charity Half Finish signage on the left side of the road. Signs, cones, and barricades will be in place to help direct you to this exit and toward the finish line."

"You will still receive your finisher medal and any challenge medal you've earned, and your official race results will be updated at a later date to reflect your time and mileage. There is no shame in making a smart decision for your body."

When the first runner crossed the finish line in Century City shortly after 9 a.m., the temperature had reached the upper 60s, and was expected to be in the mid-70s throughout the course by 10 a.m.

The race began at 6:30 a.m. with the professional wheelchair racers and push rim para-athletes. The latter group uses specially designed, high-performance aluminum or carbon fiber rings attached to the wheels of a racing wheelchair to propel themselves.

The handcycle and hand crank racers started at 6:32 a.m., with all other para-athletes starting at 6:33 a.m. The professional women and elite age group women started at 6:44 a.m. The elite men and rest of the field started at 7 a.m.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was the starter.

From Dodger Stadium, runners headed through Chinatown, downtown Los Angeles, Echo Park, Thai Town, Little Armenia, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Century City, Westwood and Brentwood then back through Westwood to Century City, with the finish line for the "Stadium to the Stars" course on Santa Monica Boulevard, just past Century Park East.

Road closures were in effect along the route. An interactive map details the street closures you need to know about. A list of the closures is also available here.

Many runners told ABC7 that they have been training for months to take on this race and are determined to finish the 26.2 miles.

The race is being run a week earlier than originally planned to avoid a conflict with next Sunday's Oscars.

City News Service contributed to this report.