Dick Hoyt, Inspiring Marathon Runner, Passes Away

BOSTON — Dick Hoyt, who inspired thousands by pushing his disabled son, Rick, in a wheelchair in dozens of Boston Marathons and hundreds of other races has died.

He was 80.

The Boston Athletic Association in a statement Wednesday called Hoyt a legend who showed determination, passion and love for his son every marathon day.

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Dick Hoyt first pushed his son, who is a quadriplegic and has cerebral palsy, in the Boston Marathon in 1980. Dick and Rick completed 32 Boston Marathons together, until Dick, citing health issues, retired in 2014.

They participated in more than 1,000 races, including multiple runnings of the New Bedford Half Marathon.

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