Ernst Van Dyk won the 2013 Chicago Marathon after an exciting sprint finish, and he almost became a backto-back champion in 2014, but Josh George and Kurt Fearnley edged him at the line. Could 2019 once again be his year? 

Name: Ernst van Dyk

Country of Origin: South Africa

Standout Race: Van Dyk came back in 2015 seeking his second Chicago Marathon victory, but he had to settle for fourth after a mad dash to the finish. The same situation repeated itself in 2016 when Van Dyk found himself in the midst of another notable sprint finish in Chicago. He finished 12th in 2017, and he did not compete in Chicago last fall. His 2019 season has been consistently strong with a third place finish in Tokyo, a fifth place finish in Boston and a 6th place finish in London. Van Dyk has won the Boston Marathon a record ten times, including six in a row from 2001 to 2006. His 2004 victory in 1:18:27 was a world best until Canada’s Josh Cassidy broke it by two seconds in 2012. He has raced the London Marathon 14 times, making the podium four times but never capturing the victory. 

More About Ernst van Dyk: Van Dyk began playing sports at an early age despite being born without legs. Today, the South African native holds multiple Paralympic medals and marathon championships, including a gold medal from the 2016 Rio Games in the Men's Cycle Road Race.