The rider athletes and families at the center of Team Hoyt Denver show up with courage, humor, and joy. Their stories define the purpose of the entire organization.
Every rider athlete on the team brings their own story to the start line. They run, race, ring cowbells, and cross finish lines on race day — and the team is always growing.
Rider athlete
Harper is a 15-year-old athlete who loves travel, music, family, and concerts at Red Rocks. She was born with a rare genetic condition, is hearing impaired and legally blind, and has grown up in an active family that loves hiking, running, and cross-country skiing. Her family has long been inspired by Rick and Dick Hoyt and dreams of running Boston together.
Rider athlete
I was born 3 months premature at 1lbs. 3oz and spent the first 6 months of my life in the NICU. I have Cerebral Palsy but work hard every day to get stronger and stronger!
Rider athlete
Maxon loves being part of the action — having his dad push him and competing with the whole family.
Rider athlete
Jack is a joyful and curious four-year-old with quadriplegic cerebral palsy who lights up every room with his smile and sense of humor. Whether he is ringing his cowbell in a road race or cheering through a snowy sit-ski run, Jack shows that ability comes in many forms.
Rider athlete
Brandon is a 41-year-old athlete who keeps the Christmas spirit alive all year — his decorations never come down. When he isn't celebrating the season, he's cheering on the Colorado Rockies and Green Bay Packers, catching a hockey game, or rapping along to 50 Cent, and his faith and friends mean everything to him. Living with cerebral palsy, Brandon plans to become the oldest person ever to live with it — with at least 44 more years to go, he's just getting started.
Rider athlete
I am CJ and I am a good student. My favorite things are playing sports and band. I live with my family and we like to hang out.
Rider athlete
Matthew is a 12-year-old athlete who lights up every room with his smile and joy. Born with left hemiplegia cerebral palsy and adopted from China in 2015, he thrives in school, loves college gymnastics, and dreams of sports communication and media. Team Hoyt gives him a community that overcomes challenges and crosses finish lines together.
Rider athlete
Juniper is a Colorado native who loves being in nature! She's a spunky 6-year-old who has faced challenges since birth, living with an ultra-rare genetic condition called RHOBTB2 that results in epilepsy, cerebral palsy, non-ambulatory mobility, and being nonverbal. That doesn't stop her from squealing and smiling when she's having fun. She has traveled across the country in her Make-A-Wish camper to lots of National Parks, with plenty more on the list. She's been Dad's running buddy since she was a baby, and she loves the breeze in her face and going fast! Her family is so excited to be involved with Team Hoyt Denver.
Rider athlete
My name is Bee. I have Hyper Mobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Cervical Stenosis. I grew up a gymnast until I shattered my ankle. I used to hike mountains before my genetic condition progressed to the point I couldn’t climb the staircase to my apartment. I walked 20 miles a day, homeless with a walker until I fell 13 times in one day and got a wheelchair. I’ve been searching for my sense of community, while asking to be included wherever I go… only to be left outside alone because of a staircase or something in my way, and nobody caring enough to help get me around the obstacle. For once, I didn’t have to beg to be included. They asked me to join. Thank you, Team Hoyt, for including me.
Rider athlete
Jonathan is a joyful and determined young athlete who brings energy and heart to every race day. He has SLC6A1 Neurodevelopmental Disorder, a rare genetic condition, along with a secondary genetic diagnosis, and though he may be non-verbal, he communicates clearly through gestures, expressions, and the excitement that lights up his face. Race day is one of his favorites — he loves the music, the crowds, and the buzz of energy, giggling and smiling as he rides. When the Hermance family moved to Colorado, they were thrilled to find Team Hoyt Denver right in their own town: a welcoming community that not only includes Jonathan, but celebrates him.
Rider athlete
Simon is an inquisitive 10-year-old Team Hoyt Denver athlete! He loves science, coding, and Mark Rober-inspired engineering projects like building his own robots and creating inventions from household items. Simon loves to play Roblox while running with his mom for Team Hoyt Denver, and he likes watching her paces and racing stats from her phone and encouraging her to "run faster!" during each race. Being part of Team Hoyt Denver has allowed Simon to experience sportsmanship and team participation with his fellow athletes and runners in a fun and comfortable environment. He always looks forward to race days — even if they mean early wake-up times!
Rider athlete
Ava is a very social girl who thrives on the energy of a crowd, which is exactly why racing with Team Hoyt Denver has been such a joy. While she isn't able to join the soccer and dance her brothers and sister play, Team Hoyt gives her a chance to truly participate and belong to a team of her own. As she grows and specialized equipment becomes a bigger investment, that connection matters more than ever — and through Team Hoyt's community of dedicated runners, Ava will always have the support she needs to keep racing.
Rider athlete
Ryan is a happy and energetic 21-year-old who loves building Legos, creating art, swimming, and cheering on the Denver Broncos. He was born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and Team Hoyt Denver has helped him discover a new adaptive sport in a supportive community.
Rider athlete
Sarah is a 20-year-old Team Hoyt Denver athlete who brings heart, resilience, and joy to every race. Living with cerebral palsy, involuntary movements, extreme muscle tightness, and visual impairment, she loves being part of a group where she belongs without having to explain herself.
Rider athlete
Björn is a 22-year-old living with type 2 Spinal Muscular Atrophy who recently graduated from the University of Denver, where he studied finance and communications. Sports have always been a passion — from competitive wheelchair soccer to, more recently, 5Ks with Team Hoyt Denver — and he loves the freedom, clarity, and camaraderie of riding in the race wheelchair while soaking up the sunlight alongside his fellow athletes and runners. As he puts it, "Being part of Team Hoyt Denver has been life-changing because, for the first time, I get to experience the freedom and excitement of moving at the same speed as everyone else."
Rider athlete
Elijah is a 15-year-old with a smile that lights up the room and a love for all things sporty and outdoors. Adopted as what his parents call the best decision they ever made, he watches baseball and football with his mom, loves church and singing along to Forrest Frank, and lights up at a good musical. He's nonverbal, but his facial expressions tell you everything — and he doesn't let his disability get him down, making the most of the past year's trips to a clinical trial in Texas, where he even got to pet and feed a dolphin.
Rider athlete
Jaxson is a happy, healthy and inspiring 14-year-old freshman at Bear Creek High School. He has a form of cerebral palsy that includes involuntary movements, a visual impairment and seizure disorder. Running with Team Hoyt is a gift for Jaxson; on race day, he loves interacting with riders, runners and volunteers and hearing the crowds cheer him on.
Rider athlete
Roccella is a 20-year-old athlete in the transition program at Cherry Creek High School. She joined Team Hoyt Denver because she loves being outside, feeling the wind on her face, listening to music, and participating in inclusive races where everyone has the chance to have fun.
Rider athlete
At 70 years young, Jeff brings heart, resilience, and a deep appreciation for life to every race. After a 1977 industrial accident caused an incomplete quadriplegia injury, months of rehabilitation at Craig Hospital helped him regain the ability to walk with two crutches. He was drawn to Team Hoyt Denver by the camaraderie, support, and joy the team brings to athletes and families.
Rider athlete
Skyler is a 23-year-old athlete who loves running with his mom and dad, feeling the wind in his hair, listening to music in his stroller, and hearing fans cheer for Team Hoyt. He is non-verbal autistic, originally from Louisville, Kentucky, and is proud to be part of Team Hoyt Denver.
These rider athletes race with us too. Their photos and stories are still on their way to this page.
Team Hoyt Denver welcomes both rider athletes and runner athletes. Read how matching, training, and race-day support work, or reach out with a question.
