Team Hoyt

Posted by Barbara (Florida, United States) on 9 November 2008 in People & Portrait.

Saturday, November 8, 2008 was the IRONMAN Triathlon in Clearwater, Florida.

I had anticipated capturing the Tri-Athletes during the route but with them scattered around the city I decided to go as near to the finish line as I could.

Minutes after I arrived I spotted these two Tri-athletes approaching, suddenly I realized it was Dick and Rick Hoyt, father and son.

Their remarkable story has been told on TV and in the media.
Consider this one, they biked and ran across the USA in 1992-3,735 miles in 45 consecutive days

It was a special moment to see them in person. They still had a ways to go to the finish line, at the time I snapped this they were making their way up an incline crossing the Clearwater Memorial Bridge that goes to Clearwater Beach.

To read more about this Father and Son team please visit their website:

http://www.teamhoyt.com/index.html

Distance:
1.2 mi. swim • 56 mi. bike • 13.1 mi. run

Comments (6)

Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States

Oh, dear Barbara ... what fortunate timing ... and an historical capture, for sure! We've seen them on TV and marvel at how dedicated this father is. He has to have the strongest legs of any man his age.
I was thinking of you when I read of the road closures ... and the bridge too. Did you sit there all day?

9 Nov 2008 1:48pm

@Judy: Thank you Judy for your nice comment. I think I gasped when I realized who they were. Once they passed I noticed there was a camera man further ahead who was waiting to take video of them. Perhaps those images or video will be seen somewhere. No one else was around except me, I think everyone was waiting at the finish line.
I did not wait at all for this image. I had just parked my car in a lot across the street and hardly walked a blocks distance up the bridge walkway when they appeared.
There was a choice to go early in the day, park somewhere in downtown Clearwater and take a shuttle to the beach area which was the start and finish line. I wanted to be there but could not make a day of it so I arrived near the finish time and fortunately the right time for the best shot I could imagine, that being of the Hoyt's.

JJ from Jersey City, United States

What wonderful timing, Yes I have herd of the Hoyts, and try to keep track of their amazing achievements they are so inspiring,, when I have the aches of arthritis in my knees I always think of them and say What the heck you talking about its nothing get moving

Thanks for sharing you have no idea how much this shot means to and inspires me

9 Nov 2008 3:06pm

@JJ: I am touched by your comment. It pleases me to know that my being the messenger by photo brought you such inspiration from this father and son who are amazing. They are the true meaning of determination and not letting obstacles get in their way.
By the way I believe a woman from New Zealand won the race. Two reason to inspire you.

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

Oh wow, you must be so thrilled...this is an extraordinary photo barb :)

9 Nov 2008 3:19pm

@Lorraine: Thank you Lorraine, absolutely I was thrilled to see this amazing father and son team. At this point in the race they were heading for the finish line another 1 to 2 miles and I could see the struggle but unfailing determination in the father.

PeterFH from Gothenburg, Sweden

Great timing. Thanks for posting the link, seems to bee some extraordinary people, the Hoyt's. This is what the world needs more of, people who cares. Great shot.

9 Nov 2008 7:22pm

@PeterFH: I agree Peter, the world does need more people like the Hoyt's. I found their website interesting as well. Thank you for your kind comment.

Suzanne Cummings from Huntington Bch, United States

Thank you for sharing this. It truly is a wonderful story.

9 Nov 2008 7:48pm

@Suzanne Cummings: Thank you for commenting.

Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States

Inspiring to look at; how blessed you are to have been there to take this great shot of these two heroes.

10 Nov 2008 1:14am

@Viewfinder: Thank you VF. After I realized I was right where I was meant to be. Since I had planned to be at another area and at an earlier time, in which case I would not have captured an image of these two amazing people.

Add your comment ...

next day →

Sony DSLR-A100
1/640 second
F/11.0
ISO 400
70 mm