Team Hoyt to Celebrate 30th Boston Marathon
John Hancock is a company that, for 150 years, has believed in the benefits of strengthening community partnerships, not only during iconic events like the Boston Marathon, but throughout the year.
One of our partnerships for the past five years has been with the Hoyt Foundation. For 35 years, Dick Hoyt has pushed or pulled his son, Rick, who is a quadriplegic and has cerebral palsy, through the finish lines of well over 1,000 athletic events, including Iron Man Triathlons as well as biking and running treks across the country.
This year, the Hoyts will run their 30th Boston Marathon together, and we proudly celebrate this accomplishment and acknowledge the impact the Hoyts have made in the lives of so many people during race day and throughout the year.
Team Hoyts’ Legacy: “Yes You Can”
The Hoyts’ message of “Yes You Can,” connects with the core values that John Hancock has held as a company since 1862. We are both committed to changing perceptions of what is possible for all of us. What Dick and Rick Hoyt accomplish both in Boston and around the world provides the highest levels of inspiration.
Boston Marathon fans don’t leave the race course until they see this dynamic duo pass by each year. The Hoyts’ presence has become a rite of spring in Boston, as well as an ongoing sign of fortitude and determination.
John Hancock will celebrate the Hoyts’ annual presence at the Boston Marathon with the commissioning of a Hoyts’ statue that will be placed in Hopkinton near the starting line.
John Hancock Sponsored Non-Profit Bibs Help the Hoyt Foundation
This year, among other initiatives, John Hancock donated 30 entry bibs to the Hoyt Foundation and the goal is for participants to raise more than $200,000 for the organization. The Hoyt Foundation also partners with the Easter Seals, the Blanchard Means Foundation and Children’s Hospital Boston.
Dick and Rick Hoyt: Inspiration in Action
- Rick graduated from Boston University in 1993 with a degree in special education. Rick worked at Boston College in a computer lab helping to develop systems to aid in communication and other tasks for people with disabilities.
- The very first words Rick ever said (via computer), “Go Bruins”
- Rick will be 50 this year at the Hoyts 30th running of the Boston Marathon.
- Dick is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard. He served his country for 37 years.
- When the Hoyts first started competing, they participated in 50 events a year.
- After the Hoyts first race, Dick began running everyday with a bag of cement in the wheelchair because Rick was at school and unable to train with him.
- Rick was the first disabled person to compete in the Ironman triathlon in Hawaii. Both his and his father’s name reside in the Ironman Hall of Fame.
- The Hoyt’s best marathon time is an astounding 2:40:47.
- Dick and Rick biked and ran across the United States in 1992, completing a full 3,735 miles in 45 days.
- To date, they has competed together in 1,072 athletic events.