BOSTON -- A father and son team will continue their tradition at the 2004 Boston Marathon after being forced to take a one-year hiatus.

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Jim Boyd Reports On Team Hoyt RESOURCES Team Hoyt

NewsCenter 5's Jim Boyd reported that last year, Rick and Dick Hoyt couldn't race because of health issues. They've been a fixture along the Boston Marathon route for more than two decades.

Dick Hoyt has been pushing his son, Rick, along the 26-mile course since they first competed in 1981.

They call themselves Team Hoyt. Dick Hoyt does the physical work and Rick Hoyt is the driving force.

"It's Rick that motivates me and inspires me. He's the one that started us in this 23 years ago, started running and he just keeps me motivated and inspired every year," Dick Hoyt said.

The Hoyts have competed in more than 970 running events. They've competed all over the world. Their visibility helps their charity, the Hoyt Fund, which aims to help integrate people with disabilities into everyday life. It also helps provide opportunities for the disabled.

"The purpose of it is to help other families that have children that have disabilities and they can't afford to go like to a summer camp or do different things," Dick Hoyt said.

Rick Hoyt has cerebral palsy, but that didn't stop him from completing his college education. He graduated from Boston University with a degree in special education in 1993. Last year, Dick Hoyt was recovering from angioplasty, but they'll be back at the starting line this year looking for that anticipated boost from the crowd.

"The crowd picks you up and carries you through it. There is no way you are not going to finish it," Dick Hoyt said.