Hoyts Honored With Statue At Boston Marathon Start

A new statue near the start of the Boston Marathon honors a father and son who have inspired runners and spectators for three decades.

The bronze likeness dedicated Monday shows Dick Hoyt pushing his son Rick, who is a quadraplegic and has cerebral palsy, in a wheelchair, as he has done in the race for so many years.

Dick Hoyt called the statue "unbelievable."

Hoyt, now 72, and his 51-year-old son plan to compete in the 26.2-mile marathon again next Monday.

The father and son from Holland also are the public faces of Team Hoyt, a charity formed to inspire disabled people.

The statue was commissioned by marathon sponsor John Hancock insurance company and donated to the Center School, near the race's start line.