Hawkins first appeared in 1911 with a time of 15.4 seconds. The following year, 1912, he took part in the eliminations for the Olympic Games in Stockholm . In addition to his specialty, he also competed in javelin throwing, although he had not placed in any of these disciplines at the state championships. He finished second over the hurdles in 15.6 seconds and thus bought the Olympic ticket. In the javelin throw, however, he only managed a modest 40.75 m, with which he would have had just as little chance in Stockholm as the reigning champion Harry Lott , who won the eliminations with the record distance of 50.63 m. So he only started over the 110 m hurdles. After winning his pre- and semi-final run in 16.1 and 15.7 seconds respectively, he won the bronze medal in the final with his personal best of 15.3 seconds behind his compatriots Fred Kelly (15.1 seconds) and James Wendell (15.2 s).
Martin Hawkins was 1.75 m tall, weighed 68 kg and started for the Multnomah AC in Portland. The graduate of the University of Oregon worked as a lawyer and judge after completing his athletic career.