SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – On February 13, former Spring Arbor University student-athlete Nathan Martin (’13 / Three Rivers, MI) will be competing against the nation’s top marathoners at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Los Angeles, California for a chance to represent his country at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Martin qualified for the trials back in October 2014 by hitting the U.S. Marathon “B” Qualifying Standard at the USA Track & Field Marathon Championships in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He finished sixth in the event with a time of 2:15:47 – narrowly missing the “A” standard of 2:15:00 which provides athletes funding support.
The top three women and men in the trials are named to the U.S. Olympic Marathon team. The fourth finisher is considered the alternate, and is named to the team if one of the top three finishers withdraws before the race with injury.
The upcoming U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials will mark just the third marathon Martin has run in his life. His first came at the 2013 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships where the Three Rivers, Michigan native finished the 26.2-mile race in 2:19:18. His time smashed the previous national record – which had stood for 28-years – by nearly two minutes as he went on to receive the solo distinction of Outstanding Performer of the national meet, the highest athletic honor.
“I am inspired every time I look at Nate and think of how God has worked in his life through his SAU experience and since graduating,” said Jeremy Smith, SAU Director of Cross Country/Track & Field. “The life challenges Nate has overcome through his faith and the beautiful cloud of witnesses he has been surrounded by is just as amazing as the athletic achievements he has been blessed with.”
Spring Arbor head women’s cross country and track & field coach Bryan Burk, who is a close friend and former teammate of Martin’s, believes its Martin’s faith and trust in Christ that allows him to perform at the high level he does.
“I have had the joy of having a close relationship with him and seeing him at his best and worst times,” commented Burk. “I have been very impressed with Nate because he is 100 percent driven by the support and love of those around him. He races with a heart that is completely different than those around him which gives him freedom and the ability to push when others can’t. He relies on Christ for all his strength, and his growth in his faith has been very evident over the years. I am proud to call him my friend and excited to see where his journey continues to go.”
Martin is the most decorated athlete in the history of the Spring Arbor cross country and track & field programs. He captured three NAIA and six National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national titles, while also earning eight conference championships in track and one in cross country.
“Nate is, no doubt, the most humble elite athlete I know,” added Smith. “I pray God continues to exalt Nate for His glory as Nate continues to run and live by faith. We, at SAU, are honored and excited to continue to lift Nate up in our prayers and words of encouragement as he continues the hard, but beautiful journey he is on.”
The men’s and women’s U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials is set to air live for the first time ever. The nationally televised event will be presented by NBC with coverage starting on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. ET.
The 2016 Summer Olympics will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from August 5-21.
If you would like to help/partner with Nathan in his journey to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, please visit saucougars.com/sauelite