Remembering Dick Hoyt: Boston Marathon Legend, Best Dad Ever
Remembering Dick Hoyt and Rick Hoyt goes hand in hand with Marathon Monday every year. So let’s look back at the two local legends. Rick Hoyt was born in 1962….
HOPKINTON, MA – APRIL 21: Dick Hoyt pushes Rick Hoyt as they compete in the 2008 Boston Marathon on April 21,2008 in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Nearly 25,000 people participated in the race. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Remembering Dick Hoyt and Rick Hoyt goes hand in hand with Marathon Monday every year. So let's look back at the two local legends.
Rick Hoyt was born in 1962. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth. This was the '60s, so doctors suggested his parents, Dick and Judy, institutionalize him.
They said no. They had seen Rick's eyes following them around the room. They new he'd be able to communicate someday and lead as good of a life as he was able to.
"Someday" came when Rick turned 11. At Dick and Judy's insistence, their son was fitted with a computer that would allow him to communicate. Rick was off to school.
In 1977, Rick asked his dad if they could run a benefit race together. It was for a classmate of Rick's who had become paralyzed. Dick said yes, and Team Hoyt was born.
Remembering Dick Hoyt: Boston Marathon Legend, Best Dad Ever
Dick Hoyt was 36 in 1977. A retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard, he was fit, but he was no runner. That was about to change. He was about to become a runner.
Dick ran that first race with Rick, who famously said: "Dad, when I’m running, it feels like I’m not handicapped." So began their long run of runs as Team Hoyt.
Over the years, Dick and Rick ran everything from 5Ks to marathons to Ironman Triathalons together. The competed in the Boston Marathon over 30 times.
And that's what we're here for. Remembering Dick Hoyt, his love for his son Rick, and their legacy. I have fond memories of seeing the pair run through Kenmore Square on Marathon Monday.
So let's look back together on a Boston Marathon institution. Team Hoyt, Dick and Rick together, running the marathon route year after year, inspiring generations of runners and Bostonians.
2008 Boston Marathon
HOPKINTON, MA - APRIL 21: Dick Hoyt pushes Rick Hoyt as they compete in the 2008 Boston Marathon on April 21,2008 in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Nearly 25,000 people participated in the race. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
2008 Boston Marathon
HOPKINTON, MA - APRIL 21: Dick Hoyt pushes Rick Hoyt as they compete in the 2008 Boston Marathon on April 21,2008 in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Nearly 25,000 people participated in the race. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Kansas City Royals v Boston Red Sox
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 20: Matt Paterson, Steven Byrne, Dick Hoyt and his son Rick Hoyt throw out the first pitches during a pre-game ceremony in honor of the bombings of Marathon Monday before a game at Fenway Park on April 20, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port
HYANNIS PORT, MA - JUNE 01: (L-R) Marathon runner Dick Hoyt, Olympian Carl Lewis, and Actress Lauren Potter kick off the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port on June 1, 2013 in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Best Buddies)
Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port
HYANNIS PORT, MA - JUNE 01: (L-R) Nels Guloien, Donald Guloien, Rick Hoyt, and Dick Hoyt attend the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port on June 1, 2013 in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Best Buddies)
The 2013 ESPY Awards - Arrivals
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 17: Dick Hoyt (L) and son Rick Hoyt of Team Hoyt attend The 2013 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 17, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
The 2013 ESPY Awards - Show
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 17: (L-R) Actor Ben Affleck and Jimmy V award recipient Dick Hoyt onstage at The 2013 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 17, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for ESPY)
The 2013 ESPY Awards - Show
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 17: (L-R) Actor Ben Affleck and Jimmy V award recipients Dick Hoyt and son Rick Hoyt accepting an award onstage at The 2013 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 17, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for ESPY)
The 2013 ESPY Awards - Show
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 17: Actor Ben Affleck (far R) looks on as Dick Hoyt (C) and son Rick Hoyt of Team Hoyt accept the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance onstage at The 2013 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 17, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for ESPY)
2014 B.A.A. Boston Marathon
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 21: Team Hoyt crosses the finish line of the 118th Boston Marathon on April 21, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Superman Hall Of Heroes Inaugural Event
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 13: Rick Hoyt (L) and Dick Hoyt participate in a media interview at Superman Hall Of Heroes inaugural event at Times Square on May 13, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for WBCP)
Superman Hall Of Heroes Inaugural Event
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 13: (L-R) Brad Globe, Robyn Rosenberger, Jeff Charbonneau, David Burke, Della Britton Baeza, Alana Nichols, Salvatore Cassano, Matthew Reeve, Dick Hoyt, Rick Hoyt and Salvatore Giunta The inaugural class of the Superman Hall of Heroes pose at the induction ceremony in Times Square on May 13, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for WBCP)
Baltimore Orioles v Boston Red Sox
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 19: Dr. Bryan Lyons throws out the first pitch as Dick Hoyt and his son Rick Hoyt, left, look on before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 19, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. Dick and his son Rick have competed in marathons and triatholons together. At this years Boston Marathon Dr. Bryan Lyons will take over for Dick Hoyt in pushing Rick thorughout the course. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
119th Boston Marathon
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 20: Dr. Bryan Lyons is interviewed after finishing the race pushing Rick Hoyt as race Grand Marshall Dick Hoyt looks on during the 119th Boston Marathon on April 20, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
119th Boston Marathon
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 20: Grand Marshall Dick Hoyt waves to the crowd during the 119th Boston Marathon on April 20, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
Boston Streets Empty On Day That Marathon Would Be Run
HOPKINTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 20: Cloth protective masks adorn the statue of Rick and Dick Hoyt near the Boston Marathon starting line on April 20, 2020 in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the race was rescheduled to September 14, 2020 instead of being run on April 20, Patriot's Day. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
