Truly devoted: The incredible Team Hoyt who have completed more than 1,000 races together... with father pushing his son all the way



For any son, their father is usually one of their greatest inspirations.

But for a unique father-and-son team, the bond between the two men goes much further than that.

Next month, Dick Hoyt is set to compete in his 29th Boston Marathon at the age of 70. If that feat wasn't impressive enough, every one of them has been done with him pushing his son Rick at the same time.

Inspirations: Dick and Rick Hoyt, pictured competing together in their favourite Boston Marathon in 2008, will tackle the race for the 29th time next month Father and son: A billboard poster featuring Team Hoyt in Denver

Devoted: Dick Hoyt has been pushing, pulling or cycling his son in events since they took part in a charity run in 1977

Rick, now 49, was born in 1962 and as a result of oxygen deprivation at his birth he has cerebral palsy.

Doctors advised Dick and his wife Judy that there was no chance of their son recovering or that he would lead a 'normal' life.



But instead of sending him to an institution, Rick's parents fought for him to be included into public school and the community where they lived in Holland, Massachusetts.

They were able to show that Rick was capable of learning just like every other child and eventually won a place for him at a public school in 1975.

Two years later he told his father he would like to participate in a five-mile charity run for a Lacrosse player who had been paralysed in an accident.

Heroes: Rick has cerebral palsy after being deprived of oxygen during his birth, but that has not stopped him taking part in more than 1,000 races

Bond: The father and son during a TV interview about their amazing feats together

Yes You Can: Richard Hoyt, now 49, as a young boy. Doctors told his parents Dick and Judy that he would never be able to lead a 'normal' life

Dick agreed to push his son in his wheelchair and they completed the run together.



Later that night, Rick told his father: 'Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped.'

That sparked the creation of Team Hoyt, an astonishing feat of love and courage that has seen the father and son compete in more than 1,000 races, including marathons, triathlons and Ironman competitions.

During triathlons, Dick pulls his son in a boat from a cord attached to his waist during the swim, the pair ride a special two-seater bicycle for the bike section and Dick pushes Rick in a custom-made running chair for the final stage.

Love: The book written by Dick Hoyt about his incredible journey with his son and, right, competing again in 1998



So far, the pair have completed 238 triathlons, six of which have been Ironman distance, and 68 marathons, along with hundreds of other races.



They also biked and ran 3,735 miles across the U.S. in 1992 in 45 consecutive days.



The incredible pair set up the Hoyt Foundation in 1989, which aims to include disabled young Americans into daily life, especially through sports, in school and in the workplace.

In 2009, they completed their 1,000th race together at the Boston Marathon.

When asked the one thing he would like to give his father, Rick said: 'The thing I'd most like is for my dad to sit in the chair and I would push him for once.'

Both men now give talks across the U.S., as well as continuing to compete in events together in a bid to encourage other disabled young people to challenge themselves.



They have been competing as a team for more than 30 years, and their website says they have no plans on retiring.



For more information, visit www.teamhoyt.com