Wheelchair racing
Of all his endeavours, Ernst van Dyk is most recognised for his achievements as one of South Africa’s top track and road wheelchair racers. He competes in between six and eight high-profile marathons per year, the majority of which are international.
The undeniable highlight of Ernst’s wheelchair racing career is having won the Boston Marathon – the most prestigious wheelchair event – nine times, consecutively from 2001 to 2006 and 2008 to 2010. He was also the first wheelchair racer in this particular event to break the 1h 20 min barrier and he holds the World Best Time of 1:18.27 (2004).
Ernst’s personal bests
| Track |
| 100 m |
0:15.01 |
2000 SA Track Championships |
| 200 m |
0:25.75 |
1999 Summer Down Under |
| 400 m |
0:47.05 |
2001 Swiss Nationals |
| 800 m |
1:32.17 |
2001 Swiss Nationals |
| 1500 m |
2:58.19 |
2005 Atlanta |
| 5000 m |
10:02.12 |
2004 Atlanta |
| Road |
| 10 km |
18:48 |
2001 Peach Tree |
| 21.1 km |
42:36 |
2007 Great North Run |
| 25 km |
52.02 |
2001 Grand Rapids |
| 42.2 km |
1.18:27 |
2004 Boston Marathon |
Recent performance highlights
| 2009 |
| 1st, Boston Marathon - Boston |
| 1st, ASA Marathon - Durban |
| 3rd, Seoul International Wheelchair Marathon – South Korea |
| 3rd, London Marathon - London |
| 3rd, OCC Marathon - George |
| 2008 |
| 1st, Boston Marathon – Boston |
| 1st, ASA Marathon – Durban |
| 1st, Seoul Wheelchair Marathon – South Korea |
| 2nd, OCC Marathon - George |
| Bronze medal, Wheelchair Marathon, Beijing Paralympics - Beijing |
| 4th, Peach Tree 10km – Atlanta |
| 6th, London Marathon – London |
Click here to view Ernst’s latest scheduled event participation.
Handcycling
In addition to wheelchair racing, this multi-talented athlete also excels in the sport of handcycling. Requiring superior upper body strength and stamina, handcycling is performed on a bicycle that is powered by the arms rather than the legs. Ernst never fails to impress and currently competes in approximately six international races and six local fun rides a year.
Recent performance highlights include:
| Obtaining 1st place at The Argus Cycle Tour, Cape Town in 2008 and 2009 |
| Obtaining a silver and bronze medal at the 2009 UCI World Championships held in Italy; |
| Winning gold at the Beijing Paralympics; and |
| Taking double gold (road race and time trial) at the 2007 UCI World Championships held in Bordeaux. |
Ernst also participates in The London Marathon, The Seoul International Wheelchair Marathon, The Argus Cycle Tour, The ASA Marathon, The OCC Marathon, The New York Marathon, Oita Marathon and The LA Marathon.
Click here to view Ernst’s latest scheduled event participation.
