The Los Angeles Marathon took place on Sunday, March 8. If you’re wondering why this story is appearing on ClarkLakeSpirit.com, it’s because of the runner who won the race over the other 27,000 participants. In a real thriller, Nathan Martin won the marathon by 0.01 seconds, the closest finish in the event’s history.
Do you remember Nathan Martin?
He set the Run Clark Lake 12K course record in 2019, and that record has remained untouched ever since. But that wasn’t his first success at Clark Lake. In 2014, he finished first in the 18–24 age group. In 2015 and 2016, he was the overall 12K winner.
Consider that 2019 record-breaking run. Nathan completed the 12K in 35 minutes and 46 seconds, a pace of 4:47 per mile. That’s not far off the pace he maintained while winning the Los Angeles Marathon.
12K start 2019
Aside from his starring roles in Run Clark Lake, Nathan Martin is also local. Run Clark Lake Race Director Pat Dwyer points to his running career at Spring Arbor University, and that he now coaches at Jackson High School. In 2014, Nathan won the NAIA National Championship in the 10,000 meters and later captured the NAIA Marathon national title as well. Earlier this year he competed in the United States Olympic Marathon Trials in Los Angeles, finishing 23rd.
Pat Dwyer is praised for Run Clark Lake’s precise record keeping. He frequently hears runners comment on “how good the records are at Clark Lake.” When someone breaks a record here, it tends to become known throughout the running world.
This year’s Run Clark Lake will take place on Saturday, August 1, starting at the usual location on Ocean Beach Road at the Beach Bar.
5K start 2025
Pat traces the history of Run Clark Lake back to 1976, which makes this year’s event a fitting part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Kids Fun Run 2025
Registration opens May 31 at the race website. The event includes four races: 12K, 5K, 5K Walk, ¾K Kids Fun Run. As Pat Dwyer likes to say, “See you at the starting line!”
Check out this video recorded at last year’s run.
Enjoy more from Run Clark Lake 2025.
The kids put out an outsized effort. Here they are at the finish.
The winners of major awards received their recognition on the Beach Bar Patio.
5k Male Overall Champion
And smiling faces? There were many. People watch in this slideshow.
Click here to see how the Clark Lake community comes together to make this a signature event in Michigan.
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Agree Pat does a great job and has a great team. I watched Nathan win that race. It was amazing. Jackson is known for many good race teams drivers and crew members. And many live on Clark Lake.
This run is neat and dear to my heart as most people know and when I read about Nathan I wondered how many times he may have run that race, thank you Rick for answering my question. My dad also ran track at Jackson High. Being back home has allowed me to “reconnect to my roots” which has been an unexpected benefit and stories like this have assisted me along that journey, connecting the past with the present.
I hope the county repaves Ocean Beach this spring. It in terrible shape!!!!