SA Paralympic legend Van Dyk hopes to inspire at groundbreaking Cape Town Marathon

Decorated South African Paralympian Ernst van Dyk hopes that the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon can put wheelchair racing on the map.

For the first time in South African and African history, an elite wheelchair racing division will be included in a marathon, which gets under way on Sunday.

The Cape Town Marathon hopes to become the seventh World Marathon Majors (WMM) and join the Boston, London, New York, Tokyo, Chicago and Berlin marathons.

It's the first year of its three-year candidacy as organisers had to revisit the existing route and comply with the WMM criteria. 

Van Dyk was very much involved in the planning of the new route to help make the 42.2km race compatible with wheelchair racing.

READ | CT Marathon bids for major status, new route poses a challenge for elite and novice: 'It's massive' 

Van Dyk is one of South Africa's most decorated para-cyclists, having won eight Paralympic medals and five Para-World Championships medals, and he has represented South Africa in five Paralympic Games.

The 49-year-old is delighted at the prospect of bringing more awareness to wheelchair racing and wants to see more para-cyclists in South Africa.

"I think it's really important for me in the sense that I want to see my sport go forward in South Africa," Van Dyk told News24 Sport on Friday.

"I want to see a carry over from my experience and what I've done in the world scene to some youngsters coming through. 

"Hopefully, having a major in South Africa will create that platform to compete against the best in the world. 

"Learn from them, see what they do, get inspired by them and get motivated by them and pick up the training and maybe represent Africa at the future Paralympics."

The 42.2km race sees the elite wheelchair division start