Boston Marathon icon Rick Hoyt participated in numerous marathons using a wheelchair pushed by his father, Dick Hoyt. But who is Dick Hoyt, and where is he now?
Dick Hoyt and Rick Hoyt, also known as a team Hoyt from Holland, Massachusetts.
The Hoyts participated in various sports competitions together, most notably over 30 Boston Marathons and Ironman Triathlons.
Younger Hoyt had cerebral palsy and used a wheelchair. The Hoyt won ESPN’s Jimmy V Award and was inducted into the Ironman Hall of Fame in 2008.
Sadly, Rick Hoyt passed away on 22 May 2023 due to respiratory complications in Leicester, Massachusetts. But where is Rick Hoyt’s dad? Is Dick Hoyt still alive?
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Who Was Dick Hoyt, Rick Hoyt Father? Wikipedia And Age
Rick Hoyt’s father, Dick Hoyt, was born on 1 June 1940 in Winchester, Massachusetts, United States.
Alfred Hoyt and Anna Jaworski were the father and mother of Dick Hoyt. While Alfred worked as a used car salesman, Anna was a devoted homemaker.
Elder Hoyt was raised in the North Reading area. Dad of Rick Hoyt was a student at North Reading High School and served as the team’s quarterback.
Dick Hoyt tied the knot with his high school sweetheart, Judy Leighton, soon after graduating in 1961. Dick Hoyt’s wife was the head cheerleader. Rick Hoyt’s mother, Judy Hoyt (Leighton), founded Kamp for Kids in the late 1970s.
Kamp For Kids allowed kids with or without disabilities to go camping together.
Moreover, Dick Hoyt served in the Army National Guard and Air National Guard for nearly four decades (37 years). Following the notoriety for his and his son’s running accomplishments, elder Hoyt began a career as an inspirational speaker, delivering over 100 speeches a year.
Dick Hoyt and his wife, Judy Hoyt, were the proud parents of three sons – Rick, Russ, and Rob.
Dick Hoyt, who was a longtime symbol of the Boston Marathon, passed away on 17 March 2021. He reportedly passed in his sleep at his Holland home after experiencing some health problems.
Also, Rick Hoyt’s mother, Judy, died in 2010.
Dick Hoyt And Rick Hoyt Running Accomplishments
Rick Hoyt was born with cerebral palsy on 10 January 1962. He was unable to control his muscles or speak. In his book – “Devoted: The Story of a Father’s Love For His Son” – Dick wrote it took longer to learn how to interpret Rick’s nods and smiles.
But in 1972, Tufts University engineers created a computer that allowed Rick to select letters by tapping his head. It was reported that “Go Bruins” were Rick’s first words.
When Rick asked his father if they might participate in a race together to support a lacrosse player at his school who had gotten crippled in 1977, Team Hoyt was born.
Dick Hoyt was 36 years at that time. The retired lieutenant colonel from the Air National Guard was not a runner. But decide to run with his son.
Rick told his father after their first race, “Dad when I’m running, it feels like I’m not handicapped.”
After that, Rick’s father started running daily with a bag of cement in the wheelchair. He increased his fitness level significantly. Although he pushed Rick in a wheelchair, elder Hoyt could still run a 5K in 17 minutes, setting a new personal record.
Team Hoyt’s fastest marathon time was 2 hours 40 minutes 47 seconds in 1992 in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington and Virginia. Despite his additional load, the elder Hoyt became first in the 50-to-59 age group.
Dick and Rick Hoyt finished the 2014 Boston Marathon, which was the last race together.
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