Rick Hoyt, a Boston Marathon icon who competed in his wheelchair with his father, passes away

Frank O'Laughlin
·2 min read
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Rick Hoyt, a Boston Marathon icon who competed in his wheelchair with his father for decades, died Monday at the age of 61 after suffering complications with his health.

“It is with profound sadness that the Hoyt Family announced the passing of our beloved brother and uncle, Rick Hoyt,” The Hoyt Foundation said in a statement. “Rick passed away due to complications with his respiratory system.”

Rick, along with his father Dick, took part in countless road races and triathlons over the years. The pair most notably completed 32 Boston Marathons together as Dick pushed his son along the 26.2-mile route from Hopkinton to Boston.

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 17: 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 Christopher Polk/Getty Images for ESPY)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 17: 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 Christopher Polk/Getty Images for ESPY)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 13: Marathon legends Rick Hoyt (L) and Dick Hoyt pose with the Superman Hall of Heroes award at the 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)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 13: Marathon legends Rick Hoyt (L) and Dick Hoyt pose with the Superman Hall of Heroes award at the 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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)

Team Hoyt, made up of the father-son duo, took part in their first Boston Marathon in 1980, quickly becoming fan favorites for their inspirational determination and spirit. The pair’s last race came in 2014.

In a statement, the Boston Athletic Association said, Rick Hoyt will always be remembered as a Boston Marathon icon and for personifying the ‘Yes You Can’ mentality that defined Team Hoyt. We are fortunate to have been able to call Rick a friend, mentor, pioneer, and Boston Marathon finisher. His legacy will live on through the Rick & Dick Hoyt Award, which is presented each April around the Boston Marathon to someone who exhibits the spirit of Team Hoyt through advocacy and inclusion.”

Rick, who retired from racing in 2021, was also a pioneer in education. His mother, Judy Hoyt, changed the laws allowing her son to be educated alongside his non-disabled peers.

“His family is heartbroken and requests time to grieve and will share details as they become available,” The Hoyt Foundation added.

The Foundation noted that a decision on whether to delay Saturday’s Dick Hoyt Memorial “Yes You Can” Road Race will be made at a later time.

Dick passed away in March 2021 at the age of 80.

Longtime Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara ran the 127th Boston Marathon on behalf of the Hoyt Foundation in April.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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