One of the Boston Marathon’s most beloved athletes, the legendary Rick Hoyt, has died at the age of 61.
“It is with profound sadness that the Hoyt Family announce the passing of our beloved brother and uncle, Rick Hoyt this morning,” the Hoyt Foundation announced Monday.
The family added he passed away due to complications with his respiratory system.
Rick Hoyt’s father Dick, pushed him in his wheelchair for more than four decades from 1981 until 2014.
“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,” the Hoyt family posted.
Rick Hoyt, who had cerebral palsy and was a quadriplegic, retired from competition in 2021, months after the death of Dick, who was 80.
“It’s hard to believe they both have now passed on but their legacy will never die. Dick and Rick Hoyt have inspired millions around the world,” Dave McGillivray, Boston Marathon race course director, said in a statement.
Rick Hoyt passed away today at the age of 61, leaving a lasting legacy of athletic achievement. Team Hoyt raced over 1,000 athletic events together, including @bostonmarathon 36 times.
"We run together as a team. We run for the people who think they can't." -Dick and Rick Hoyt pic.twitter.com/jsm5LN2Dva— Boston Marathon Pro (@Boston26_2_Pro) May 22, 2023