The story of Rick and Dick Hoyt

Amazing inspirational story of marathoners 

Team Hoyt is an inspirational story of a father, Dick Hoyt, and his son, Rick, who compete together in marathons and triathlons across the country.

Team Hoyt strives to help those who are physically disabled become active members of the community. Join us in spreading Team Hoyt's message, "Yes You Can!"

The Early Years

Rick was born in 1.962 to Dick and Judy Hoyt. 

As a result of oxygen deprivation to Rick's brain at the time of his birth, Rick was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. 

Dick and Judy were advised to institutionalize Rick because there was no chance of him recovering, and little hope for Rick to live a "normal" life. 

This was just the beginning of Dick and Judy's quest for Rick's inclusion in community, sports, education and one day, the workplace.

Dick and Judy soon realized that though Rick couldn't walk or speak; he was quite astute and his eyes would follow them around the room. 

They fought to integrate Rick into the public school system, pushing administrators to see beyond Rick's physical limitations. 

Dick and Judy would take Rick sledding and swimming, and even taught him the alphabet and basic words, like any other child. 

After providing concrete evidence of Rick's intellect and ability to learn like everyone else, Dick and Judy needed to find a way to help Rick communicate for himself. 

The Beginning of Team Hoyt

In the spring of 1.977, Rick told his father that he wanted to participate in a 5-mile benefit run for a Lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. 

Far from being a long-distance runner, Dick agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair and they finished all 5 miles, coming in next to last. 

That night, Rick told his father, "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped."

This realization was just the beginning of what would become over 1,000 races completed, including marathons, duathlons and triathlons (6 of them being Ironman competitions). 

Also adding to their list of achievements, Dick and Rick biked and ran across the U.S. in 1.992, completing a full 3,735 miles in 45 days.