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Despite congenital defects that left him paralyzed, 33-year-old Ernst Van Dyk of South Africa was encouraged by his parents to do sports. He started as a competitive swimmer and switched to track in his late teens. Van Dyk placed first in the 400 meters and second in the 1500 meters at the 2002 World Championships and has set world records at 400 meters, 800 meters, 10K, 25K, and the marathon. The first to break the 1:20 marathon barrier, Van Dyk has won the BAA Boston Marathon for the last five years. You can read more about Van Dyk on his website www.ernstvdyk.co.za/
Mensracing.com caught up with Van Dyk one week before the ING New York City Marathon 2006, after he just competed in a marathon in Japan.
MensRacing.com:
You are in Oita, Japan right now. How did your race go?
Ernst Van Dyk: Not too well. I did my second best time of the season but misjudged a corner and I was out of the race. I ended up placing ninth in a time of 1:25.29. You can see the full results at www.wheelchair-marathon.com .
MR:
Are you going back to South Africa before coming to New York?
EVD: I tried to go direct from Japan to New York but it was just insanely expensive, so I have to go back to South Africa, rest a little and head out to New York.
MR: You travel all over the world for racing. Practically every month, you are in a different country training and this week, you will be in three continents. Does this traveling tire you or leave you totally confused as to what time it is?
EVD: Traveling is part of what I do and I deal with it accordingly. If you fight it, you won't enjoy it. So sure, it tires me and sometimes my body is so confused I have no idea what time of day or night it is but I love racing and realize that there is a price to pay!
MR:
How often is your wife able to travel with you? Is it hard to be away from her when she is unable to travel with you?
EVD: She goes with me about once a year. She also works and of course does not have unlimited leave. So, we try to pick a trip that will be fun for her and a bit of a vacation as well. I'm used to traveling on my own so it quite easy to handle but I do miss her and home when I'm gone.
MR: You won the Boston Marathon this year and last year and not only did you win the ING New York City Marathon last year, but also, you broke the course record. What is your goal for this year? I’d imagine that you’d like to win. Do you hope to break your own record?
EVD: I'm still recovering from a fairly bad season. I've been playing “catch-up” for a while now and it will probably only come together next year again. So I'm just going to New York to do my best. I know my limits and I know how hard to push myself. I don't believe my form is good enough at this stage to be a contender but in racing strange things happen.
MR: Who do you see as your top contenders in New York this year?
EVD: Kurt Furnly must be the favorite. But we had a hard race this weekend and he will be a little tired. Krige [Schabort]and Saul [Mendoza]will be rested and you never know with Gordian [Aaron Gordian Minz]. There are also some good Spanish and French racers coming.
MR: You often train four-and-a half hours a day on your own. What motivates you to keep up with such rigorous training?
EVD:
I hate losing and love being fit.
MR: I read in your blog that you recently gave up your full-time athlete status to work some for Fidentia. How is that going?
EVD: It's very challenging, but I enjoy it, and the financial stability is awesome!
MR: It seems as though you have an incredible support system, with your wife, dogs, parents, siblings, and community in South Africa. Tell me more about how they’ve encouraged you in your sport.
EVD:
My support system makes things worth it. Who would share in my achievements if they weren't around? I'm a firm believer of balance and they keep my feet on the ground.
MR: You are well know for your motivational speaking. Tell me a bit about the different types of audiences that you speak to.
EVD: I speak to anybody who is willing to listen, from kindergarteners, to schools, universities, and corporations.
MR: By reading your blog, I see that you have quite a fascination with fish. You have a tank full of tropical fish and you also enjoy fishing. What sparked that interest? Tell me more about that.
EVD: I kept fish as a kid. Now, my wife takes care of the tank as I wanted to get rid of it! My new passion is koi and I have a 10, 000-gallon pond with 40 20-inch koi in it. It's great for relaxing and a very rewarding hobby.
MR: Looking ahead to 2007, what are some of your racing goals?
EVD: I would like to make a huge comeback next year. I’d like to break 1:20 again and win every marathon I enter.
Interview conducted October 29, 2006, and posted November 2, 2006.
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