Team Hoyt compete in Clons marathon

Rick and Dick Hoyt of

By Kieran O’Mahony

NEXT month’s Keith Whyte Waterfront Ultra Marathon III in Clonakilty is going to be an extra special event, as Boston Race icons Rick and Dick Hoyt of ‘Team Hoyt’ will be competing for the very first time.

This father-and-son team have completed in over 1,200 marathons, triathlons, Ironman and road races despite Rick Hoyt using a wheelchair.

They have competed in over 1100 athletic events in the last 34 years and have run the Boston Marathon 32 times. Their work in raising awareness of disabilities and raising millions for charities was honoured last year.

The Team Hoyt motto is ‘Yes You Can’ and despite Rick’s disability, both his father and himself are committed to changing attitudes and educating others on disability.

In addition to racing on Saturday July 25th Team Hoyt will also be holding two inspirational and uplifting presentations and slideshows.

They will talk about their amazing life story at the Quality Hotel in Clonakilty on Thursday July 23rd for everyone who likes to be inspired and on Friday July 24th for runners and walkers.

This year the Keith Whyte Waterfront Ultra III, which is an IAU, approved course with a Bronze Label, runs through the village of Courtmacsherry. There is a choice of five race distances 10k, 13.1 miles, 26.2 miles, 36 miles and 100k. The looped course goes from Courtmacsherry through Timoleague Abbery and onto Kilbrittain causeway before the turnaround point, which takes in Timoleague again and back to Courtmacsherry.

See www.runclon.ie for more information.