In 1915, Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance was squeezed and crushed by Antarctic sea ice and sank, leaving his men stranded on the ice. Shackleton led an astonishing escape on foot and in small boats, even sailing a lifeboat across brutal seas to go get help. For over a century nobody knew exactly where the ship was. Then in March 2022 an expedition using underwater robots found it nearly two miles down in the Weddell Sea, upright, intact, and with the name ENDURANCE still clearly visible on the stern.
At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, British runner Derek Redmond was finally healthy and running well in the 400-meter semifinal. About 150 meters in, his right hamstring tore and he crumpled to the track. He waved off the stretcher and started hobbling toward the finish. His dad, Jim, pushed past the officials, came onto the track, put his arm around his son, and helped him along while 65,000 people stood and cheered. Right before the line, Jim let go so Derek could finish the race on his own.
Dick Hoyt’s son Rick was born with cerebral palsy and couldn’t walk or talk. Starting in 1980, Dick began pushing Rick in a custom racing chair in the Boston Marathon. Together they finished 32 Boston Marathons, their last in 2014, and their 1,000th race together came at Boston in 2009. Dick passed away in March 2021, and the Boston Athletic Association remembered him for his determination, passion, and love.
