TIM DUMAS: HOYTS DESERVE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM
MILFORD DAILY NEWS
There must be thousands of Dick Hoyt regular guy, down-to-earth stories.
You didn’t have to be a runner to appreciate his everyman persona, despite his Superman ability.
I have a story of my own.
Dick was easy to spot at the expo that precedes the Boston Marathon. The last time it was held – 2019 – I decided to travel into the city on the Friday before in order to avoid the long lines of weekend runners that shuffle through the Hynes Convention Center, yearning for our coveted race bib.
With foot traffic light, I was free to roam around. Usually, it’s dash in, dash out. The only time I want to linger in Boston is at the finish line.
Not this time.
I squinted to locate my name printed on the wall that was among the thousands who would take to the streets on Patriots Day morning. There was no line for the free sampling of Sam Adams, so I started one.
I tried on an official Marathon jacket, had my daughter snap a picture, and put it back on the rack. There was time to waste – not money.
And there he was. Blond hair parted neatly. Muscles bulging. A Boston icon.
Dick had just finished giving a presentation when I sensed an opportunity. I asked him for a selfie.
The request sounds impersonal; a quick click and you’re out of there. It remains the only time I uttered those words. I’m glad I did.
Dick not only granted my request, he made sure a member of the Team Hoyt brethren nearby took the picture. No awkward neck-craning or camera angle required.
We posed, shook hands and I thanked him – not just for the picture but for his exhaustive efforts pushing his son Rick all those years and all those miles.
When Dick died Wednesday morning, a chunk of the Marathon went with him.
We’re left with only our memories.
Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray said he was up at 3 this morning typing out a tribute (1,600 words!) to Dick.
Former sportscaster Bob Lobel said “we’re all better off from having known him.”
Tim Kilduff of the 26.2 Foundation called the Hoyts “more than pioneers.”
Dick and Rick have been showered with a long list of accolades – halls of fame and achievements awards.
How about adding this one: The Presidential Medal of Freedom, aka our nation’s highest civilian honor.
The award is presented to "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."
Recent recipients include a number of well-known athletes: Annika Sorenstam (2021), Tiger Woods (2019) and Bob Cousy (2019). Posthumous awards are not uncommon. Babe Ruth was honored three years ago, 70 years after he died.
Dick and Rick most definitely contributed to cultural, significant public endeavors. The benefactors of Team Hoyt will continue to do so.
After more than 1,000 races, the Hoyts deserve another medal. This one pinned on by the president.