Never leave a young man behind: Photo of marine who slowed down to help a nine-year-old boy finish a 5k race goes viral

Marine encouraged nine-year-old boy all the way to the finish line

Picture of them running already has 200,000 likes on Facebook

A marine who gallantly dropped back in a race to help a nine-year-old boy finish has become an internet sensation.



Lance Corporal Myles Kerr was competing in the annual run while home on leave in Charlevoix, Michigan when he spotted Boden Fuchs struggling to keep up.



The boy reportedly asked 19-year-old Kerr: 'Sir, will you please run with me?', after losing the group he was running with.

Heartwarming: Lance Corporal Myles Kerr keeping nine-year-old Boden Fuchs motivated in the race

The race results show that after allowing his fellow marines to run off at full speed in the race along the shore of Lake Michigan , Kerr finished five seconds behind Fuchs at 34.53 minutes - and a long way behind his army friends .

The picture of Kerr running with the boy in his army fatigues, encouraging him all the way to the finish line has already had 200,000 likes on Facebook and been shared 45,000 times.



Facebook users were full of praise for the Lance Corporal, calling him 'a role model' and a 'hero'.

Becoming a local celebrity, Kerr was interview by local radio stations and newspapers.



Hero: Myles Kerr, 19, seemed overwhelmed by the attention he received online after the race

After hearing about his act of kindness, Fuchs' parents bought him a $100 voucher for a local restaurant to thank him.



Kerr seemed taken aback by all the attention on his Twitter feed, responding to one fan: 'I was just doing what any man would do, but thank you!'