Hey guys....i was sUrfing the net....den i chanced upon this video. VeRy sAd...

Story of Dick and Rick Hoyt

Dick and Rick Hoyt are a father-and-son team from Massachusetts who together compete just about continuously in marathon races. And if they’re not in a marathon they are in a triathlon. 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.

Rick was partially strangeled by his umbilical cord when he was born so was brain-damaged and cannot control his limbs. But He can communicate by tapping a computer key with his head.

After he told his father that he wanted to run in a charity run for a paralysed schoolmate, his father agreed and ran the race carrying him.

Rick said that he did not feel paralysed when he was being pushed in a wheelchair by his dad... so from then on, they enter marathons and triathalons together. They cant enter as a singel runner, or as a wheelchair competitor so Dick just runs so fast pushing his son, that they qualify within the regular race qualification time for regular runners. (the young man qualifying time not the senior category!)

Its amazing! and they are only 35 mins off the world record marathon time! Because of the races, Dick (the dad) even managed to survive a heart blockage simply because he was very fit. So in some sense the son even saved the father:) While I still don't think marathons are the way to go for optimal exercise, but hey if its for and inspirational use like this its alright (just this time hehe)hope you enjoy the vid. If I'm not wrong the story first came out on Sports Illustrated the sports magazine.



I watch already...feel like crying........