growabrain: Triathlons

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September 08, 2006

Integrating the physically challenged into everyday life

Dick and Rick Hoyt are a father-and-son team from Massachusetts who together compete just about continuously in marathon and triathlon races. Together they have climbed mountains, and once trekked 3,735 miles across America.

It’s a remarkable record of exertion — all the more so when you consider that Rick can't walk or talk.

Dick has recently retired as a lieutenant colonel in the air nation guard. Rick was born in 1962 as a spastic quadriplegic, cerebral palsy, non-speaking person. Twenty years ago Rick Hoyt ran a 5k while pushing his son in a wheelchair. After the race his son told him that while racing he did not feel disabled. So for the past twenty five years or more Dick, who is 65, has pushed and pulled his son across the country and over hundreds of finish lines.

When Dick runs, Rick is in a wheelchair that Dick is pushing. When Dick cycles, Rick is in the seat-pod from his wheelchair, attached to the front of the bike. When Dick swims, Rick is in a small but heavy, firmly stabilized boat being pulled by Dick

Elsewhere: A great photo of Hank Aaron

Base jumping in Malmö, Sweden with Felix Baumgartner

Update: Skydiver Completes 640 Jumps in 24 Hours

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