There are no lengths a loving parent won't go for their child. Dick Hoyt was perhaps one of the best examples of that.
Dick and his son, Rick, won the hearts of many in their annual running of the Boston Marathon. In 1962, Rick was born to Dick and wife Judy Hoyt. Rick was born quadriplegic and has cerebral palsy. Doctors told Dick and Judy that he wouldn't have much quality of life and recommended they put them in a special-needs facility. They rejected that idea and brought their son home.
Dick and Rick began running races together in 1977, with Dick pushing Rick in a custom wheelchair. In 1980, the two took on the Boston Marathon for the first time. Over their many races and four decades, the two became legends of the tradition and inspired many families around the country. The Hoyt family is now mourning the loss of Dick, who died on March 17 at 80 years old.
Dick and Judy Hoyt knew they wanted to raise their son, Rick, despite whatever might arise in his future. Rick was born quadriplegic and with cerebral palsy, and medical professionals recommended that the couple place him in a special care facility.
"We cried, but we talked and we said, 'No, we're not going to put Rick away. We're gonna bring Rick home and bring him up like any other child,'" Dick told ABC News.
The couple worked with Rick to give him an excellent life, and he was eventually able to communicate through writing. In 1977, Rick asked Dick if they could run a charity race together.
"When we got home that night, Rick wrote on his computer, 'Dad, when I'm running, it feels like my disability disappears.' So that was a very powerful message to me," Dick said.
Dick trained for them to run that race, and that was just the beginning. The father and son took on the Boston Marathon for the first time in 1980. Dick and Rick would run that marathon 32 times, the last of which was in 2014. In total, they ran over 1,000 races.
On Thursday, the Hoyt family announced that Dick had died overnight in his sleep from heart failure. He was 80 years old. Brothers Rob and Russ came together to break the news to Rick, as they told NBC News.
"He's sad, as we all are, but he's OK," Russ said.
"You could see it in him, it was like someone hit him."
The Boston Athletic Association released a statement mourning Dick.
"The BAA is tremendously saddened to learn of the passing of Boston Marathon icon Dick Hoyt. Dick personified what it meant to be a Boston Marathoner, showing determination, passion, and love every Patriots' Day for more than three decades. He was not only a fan-favorite who inspired thousands, but also a loyal friend and father who took pride in spending quality time with his son Rick while running from Hopkinton to Boston," the statement said.
"As a leader of Team Hoyt, Dick Hoyt and his son Rick quickly became Boston Marathon legends after their first run in 1980. Pushing Rick in a custom racing chair, Dick and Rick completed 32 Boston Marathons together, including a final finish in 2014," the statement continued.
"The pair's bond and presence throughout the course became synonymous with the Boston Marathon. Team Hoyt's 1,000th race together came at the 2009 Boston Marathon, and in 2015 Dick served as Grand Marshal of the race in recognition of his impact on the event and Para Athlete community.
"Dick Hoyt was one-of-a-kind. We will sincerely miss Dick, and are keeping his many family and friends in our thoughts and prayers."
The Ironman Triathlon also acknowledged Team Hoyt's astounding accomplishments in a series of tweets. "In 1988, IRONMAN and its community were introduced to the trailblazing father-son team of Dick and Rick Hoyt at the IRONMAN World Championship. While they didn’t finish that first year further history would be made the very next year," the organization wrote.
"Using an inflatable boat attached to a bungee pulled by Dick, a bike with a seat on the handlebars for Rick, & a custom-made jogger for Rick to sit in, the pair etched Team Hoyt into the history books finishing the 140.6-mile IRONMAN triathlon & redefining what's possible."
"In the decades to follow, the love of a father and son was on display as the Hall of Fame Duo of Team Hoyt continued their feats through determination and the desire to change the world," Ironman continued.
"Through their participation in multiple IRONMAN events, numerous other running and triathlon competitions, & a willingness to share their story, more Special Teams are engaged and celebrated in sporting events around the world than ever before.
"While our hearts are broken for this loss, his accomplishments alongside Rick are ones that will remain at the core of IRONMAN. We share our deepest sympathies with the Hoyt family, their friends, and all others who are impacted by this great loss.
"We will miss you, Dick."
