Episode 171: YES YOU CAN! A Conversation with Boston Marathon Legend, Rick Hoyt, and his Brother, Russ Hoyt

Run Farther & Faster — The Podcast with Coaches Lisa Levin and Julie Sapper

We are so thrilled to welcome Rick Hoyt, and his brother, Russ, both of whom are the children of Dick Hoyt. Dick, who passed away at age 80 in 2021, and his son, Rick, are the dynamic duo known as Team Hoyt that competed together in various athletic endeavors, including 72 marathons and six Ironman triathlons. Rick and his father ran the Boston Marathon 32 times, and we always loved seeing them along the course. Talking with Rick and Russ and hearing Rick's story firsthand brought tears to our eyes. In addition to competing as a dynamic duo for over four decades, the Hoyts started the Hoyt Foundation, which provides inclusion opportunities for disabled young people. Its motto, Yes You Can, is behind everything the Hoyts have accomplished, including Rick’s graduation from Boston University, thanks to the unwavering insistence of Dick and Rick's mom, Judy, that Rick attend public school and eventually Boston University where Rick graduated in 1993. While Rick is no longer running races, Team Hoyt is going strong with teams at the Boston Marathon every year, including this year, when Dick’s grandkids/Russ’s children ran on behalf of Team Hoyt. Now, for the first time this year, the Hoyt Foundation is hosting the first annual Dick Hoyt Memorial Yes You Can Run Together on Saturday May 27th in Hopkinton at 8:30 am. It’s a five mile race to commemorate the Hoyt's first race distance together. There is also a VIRTUAL OPTION for all listeners to participate. For more information on how to register, check out https://raceroster.com/events/2023/71383/the-dick-hoyt-memorial-yes-you-can-run-together. Thanks to our editor, Erin Bryant, for her work on this episode and to all of you for listening. Please leave a review wherever you get your podcasts! Interested in coaching? Check us out on Instagram and Facebook (under Run Farther & Faster) or send an email to [email protected]. Thanks for listening.