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Hoyts Preparing For 25th Boston Marathon

Slideshow: How The Hoyts Got Started

BOSTON (CBS4) ― It was 1981 and the Hoyts run Boston for the first time. It was the beginning of an inspirational journey of love and athletic achievement.

Today, the Hoyts are an integral part of the lore of Boston, and Dick and Rick are focused like laser beams on number 25.

"I am really looking forward to the crowds. I am sure that many people will have signs wishing us good luck on our silver anniversary," says Rick.

According to Dick, "When we're out there running, Rick is the athlete and I'm just out there loaning him my arms and legs so he is able to compete."

Their journey and their drive began during Rick's birth when his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck.

"That caused a lack of oxygen to Rick's brain and that caused brain damage which is cerebral palsy," says Dick.

He adds, "They said, forget Rick. Put him away. Put him in an institution. He's going to be nothing but a vegetable for the rest of his life."

To which Rick responds, "I am lucky my parents did not do that or I would not be able to be here today."

The "thinking" part of Rick's brain was fine, but it was trapped in a body that didn't work. The Hoyts raised Rick like other kids and fought for his right to be included.

When Rick was a teenager he learned about a road race to benefit a young athlete who was paralyzed in an accident.

Using his computer, Rick told his dad he wanted to be in that race. "I wanted to show this person that life goes on and he could still lead a productive life. That is why I turned to my Dad and said, we have to run this race," remembers Rick.

According to Dick, "Well, that was kind of a shock to me. I was forty years old, I was not a runner." But they successfully completed the five mile run.

"When we got home that night from the race, Rick wrote on his computer, Dad, when I'm running my disability seems to disappear. So that was a very powerful message to me," says Dick.

Hundreds of races later the Hoyts are heading for another milestone.

"It feels fantastic to know that Dad and I are a part of the history of the Marathon," says Rick.

"Our main message is to teach the public that people with disabilities are people, and they should be able to be out there doing everything just like everybody else," says Dick.

The challenges are great. Dick, at age 65, is coming back from a serious knee injury that's kept him in physical therapy and off the road for four months. He's just started running again and vows to be ready.

The Hoyts are dedicating their 25th Boston Marathon to raise money for Easter Seals, an organization that helps people with disabilities.

If you'd like more information about the Hoyts and how to support Easter Seals log onto: www.teamhoyt25.org

And of course, you can see all the Marathon excitement right here on CBS 4 News on April 17th.

Each Monday leading up to the Marathon you can see a new story about the Hoyts as we follow them to the starting line.

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