Photo: Getty Images
HOLLAND, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Boston Marathon and greater racing community has lost of its most prominent figures— the Hoyt Foundation announced on Monday that Rick Hoyt has died at the age of 61.
According to the Hoyt Foundation, Rick passed away because of a respiratory system complication.
"As so many knew, Rick along with our father Dick were icons in the road race and triathlon worlds for over 40 years and inspired millions of people with disabilities to believe in themselves, set goals, and accomplish extraordinary things," a spokesperson for the Hoyt Foundation said in a statement.
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Rick is remembered as being a pioneer in education as well, the Hoyt Foundation said his mother Judy Hoyt had pushed for law changes allowing for her son to be enrolled and educated among his non-disabled peers. Rick had cerebral palsy, and for decades, was pushed by his father Dick along the Boston Marathon route.
Dick Hoyt pushing his son Rick Hoyt in the 2008 Boston Marathon. Photo: Getty Images
"As for the previously planned Dick Hoyt Memorial "Yes You Can" road race scheduled for 10:00 am this coming Saturday, May 27th in Hopkinton MA, we will be making a decision on whether that will still happen on Saturday or be postponed until a later date," the Hoyt Foundation said.
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