American long‑distance runner Nathan Martin claimed victory in the 2026Los Angeles Marathonon Sunday in what has become the closest finish in the event's history, edging out Kenyan competitor Michael Kimani Kamau by just 0.01 seconds after 26.2 miles of racing.
However video circulating online suggests that a late‑race misstep by Kamau may have played a decisive role in the outcome, drawing intense scrutiny from spectators and online viewers alike.
The men's elite race drew thousands of participants from around the world, with the marathon's final stretch unfolding in Century City before crowds of spectators.
Both runners were officially recorded with identical times near 2 hours, 11 minutes and 17 seconds, but Martin was deemed the winner after a dramatic sprint that saw him cross the finish line just ahead of Kamau in a historic photo finish.
Footage shared widely on social media appears to show Kamau, who had led for much of the latter stages, briefly veering off the official course within the final few hundred metres.
In the clip, the Kenyan runner is seen avoiding an enthusiastic spectator on the route and, in the process, stepping outside the designated lane. He then appears to backtrack onto the correct path, a manoeuvre that may have cost him valuable seconds as Martin closed the gap and surged past.
One bystander featured in the video is heard saying, 'That's the wrong track', shortly after the incident, underlining the confusion on the ground as the leaders approached the finish.
In the men's field, Martin, aged 36 and based in Jackson, Michigan, took the title amid dramatic scenes. Kamau was officially placed second with the same time, and Ethiopian runner Enyew Nigat finished third.
In the women's race, Kenyan athlete Priscah Cherono emerged victorious with a time of approximately 2:25:20, finishing several minutes ahead of her rivals.
The Los Angeles Marathon drew more than 26,000 runners from Dodger Stadium to Century City on Sunday. Organisers had previously announced that, due to warm weather, participants struggling in the heat could opt to end their race at the 18‑mile mark and still receive a finisher's medal, although this applied only to non‑elite competitors.
Source: International Business Times UK
