Disease inspires dad’s run for son

Phillip and Caleb Trost participated in the Nike + Human Race in Beaverton, Ore., on Sunday.

Monday, September 01, 2008 By DAVE KERN, Columbian staff writer

It wasn’t billed as a father-son run, but Phillip Trost and son Caleb decided the Nike + Human Race on Sunday would be just that.

Phillip of Hockinson pushed 3-year-old Caleb in his jog stroller for the 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) race. They finished in 1,063rd place after running 68 minutes. An estimated 2,000 runners participated at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore.

Caleb was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy this spring. With each run and with a Web site, Phillip wants to raise awareness of the disease and help others. Sunday marked his second race with Caleb.

The Nike event was staged in more than 25 cities around the globe to celebrate the love of running.

“The overall experience (in Beaverton) was wonderful,” Phillip said. Earlier this summer, he carried Caleb on his back in a 5K race at Nautilus in east Vancouver, where Phillip works. “It’s easier to push than to carry,” Phillip said.

Caleb and his twin sister, Emily, were born four weeks early. Caleb already has had surgeries for a cleft soft palate and for a stomach ailment.

“We’ve spent a lot of time at Doernbecher,” Phillip said, referring to the children’s hospital in Portland. He said he hopes his runs with Caleb result in contributions that can be funneled to Doernbecher and the Shriners Hospital for Children in Portland.

“He sleeps through a lot of the runs, but he likes to pass people. He likes the competition,” Phillip said.

And on Sunday, “We passed a lot of people.”

Other members of Caleb’s family are his mom, Melissa, and sister Samantha, 8.

Melissa says the father-son runs are fantastic for the family.

“Phillip is absolutely inspirational to me, for what he’s doing for Caleb,” Melissa said.

“Maybe in 2009 or 2010 we’ll run the Portland Marathon,” Phillip said. He added: “I do know that with every race, he finishes first in my heart. I only hope he knows how hard I push.”