Apr 14, 2006 2:06 pm US/Eastern
The Hoyts: Are They Ready?
by Scott Wahle
(CBS4)
"We never even thought we'd be running marathons and here we are running our 25th Boston Marathon," says Dick Hoyt.
The father-son team of Dick and Rick Hoyt will answer the call again on Monday.
Sixty-five-year old Dick pushing his severely disabled son 26.2 miles, with Dick coming back from a serious knee injury. "I fractured it, and I was operated on 3 days before Christmas," says Dick.
He underwent daily physical therapy and couldn't run for 4 months, the longest layoff of his long career. Dick went back on the road in March. "Every once in a while you get a little pain, but it goes away. Matter of fact the longer we run the better it feels," says Dick.
For Rick Hoyt, who has cerebral palsy and is quadriplegic, this year will top them all.
"I think the Marathon will be a huge emotional day. I'm thinking the crowds will be wilder than it has ever been over the past 24 years," says Rick.
Rick's life has been a constant struggle for inclusion. He realizes his accomplishments are proving a point. "I'm the first person with a disability who finished 25 Boston Marathons. I feel like Neil Armstrong. The feeling is fantastic!" according to Rick.
The Hoyts are even making a prediction for number 25. "Initially we were hoping for 4 hours, but maybe we can beat that by a little bit. We're hoping maybe 3:45 to 4 hours, which would be good," says Dick Hoyt.
Dick and Rick are dedicating this race to raise money for Easter Seals, an organization that helps people with disabilities.
According to Dick, "We'd like people to pledge a dollar a mile out there, and donate the money to Easter Seals and that would be great."
Rick Hoyt is looking forward to Monday's excitement. "Wow, it is clear that we are a part of Boston Marathon history," says Rick. And that history will just get better on Monday. "We'll see what happens on the 17th," says Dick.
The Hoyts have missed only one Boston Marathon since they started in 1981. That's because Dick had a heart attack a few years ago and couldn't run.
Rick and Dick Hoyt are dedicating their 25th Boston to raise money for Easter Seals, an organization that helps people with disabilities.
If you would like more information about the Hoyts and how to support Easter Seals check out
TeamHoyt25.org. Of course, you can see all the Marathon excitement right here on CBS 4 News on April 17th.
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