Rick to have surgery today but expected to make full recovery.

Boston, Mass. – Dick and Rick Hoyt, the father and son team who have personified the Boston Marathon through their unique form of participation, will not race this year.

Rick, suffering from cellulitis, will have surgery today to alleviate the condition. He is expected to make a full recovery, but part of that recovery includes up to three weeks of rest post-surgery. They will likely be back to normal training and racing within a few months, and Rick (44 years old) and Dick (66) have already expressed their intention of racing at Boston next year, which would be their 26th Boston Marathon.

The Hoyts first participated at Boston in 1981. Since then, they have missed only the 2003 Boston Marathon due to Dick's recovery from angioplasty surgery. Last Patriots' Day, the Hoyts celebrated their milestone 25th Boston Marathon.

Over the years, the Hoyts have become symbols of perseverance. Prior to last year's race, Rick said: "Because we stuck with running and did not ever accept 'No, you can't,' we are now educating the world about people with disabilities, making them more aware of the issues that the disabled face every day."

The 111th Boston Marathon is on Monday, April 16, 2007.