BOSTON (AP) – Richard Hoyt has pushed his wheelchair-bound son, Rick, in 25 Boston Marathons, but the inspiring pair will miss the race next month while Rick recovers from surgery performed Wednesday.

Rick Hoyt, who was born with cerebral palsy, underwent surgery for an infection in his hip and won’t be fully recovered in time for the 111th running of the race April 16, his father said. He has been advised that he will need three to four weeks of bed rest.

The Hoyts are fan favorites and have missed just one Boston Marathon – in 2003, when Dick Hoyt suffered a heart attack – since they started running it in 1981. They also compete in about 30 other races every year.

The Hoyts plan to enter races later this spring and will be back for the 2008 Boston Marathon.

“Rick and I are still having fun and we enjoy it. We love running and competing,” Dick Hoyt, 66, said.

of their post-surgery racing plans.

Boston Athletic Association spokesman Jack Fleming said the association, which organizes the race, looked forward to the Hoyts’ eventual return.

“People go out to the Boston Marathon specifically to see the Hoyts,” he said. “They’re one of the institutions of the Boston Marathon. We’ll miss them this year.”

Rick Hoyt, 45, had surgery Monday as well, his father said. The first procedure was to address the infection, and Wednesday’s surgery was for skin grafts. The procedures were done at Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge.

The Hoyts raised $370,000 for Easter Seals last year as part of their 25th Boston Marathon celebration.

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On the Net:

Hoyts: http://www.teamhoyt.com

AP-ES-03-28-07 1644EDT