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Photo of Marine running with boy in 5k race goes viral

Lance Corporal Myles Kerr, 19, competed in the Jeff Drenth Memorial race in Charlevoix, Michigan on Saturday

During the five-kilometre race, Kerr passed a little boy who had fallen behind the group he was running with.

According to a post on Facebook, the boy, 9-year-old Boden Fuchs, asked the Marine, "Sir, will you run with me?"

A spectator snapped a photo of the pair who then finished the race together, Kerr encouraging Fuchs the entire way.

The photo was posted on the Facebook page "Seal of Honor." It went viral.

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"For the 5k at the Venetian Festival in Charlevoix, Lcpl Kerr opted to run the event wearing boots and utes and carrying a ruck sack. Several minutes after the other Marines he was with had finished, Lcpl Kerr still had not crossed the line. They feared his extreme level of motivation may have caused him injury and/or fatigue resulting in him dropping out of the race. Moments before they ran back through the course to recover their fellow Marine, Lcpl Kerr came around the last turn along with this small boy," the Facebook post read.

"Throughout the course, Lcpl Kerr urged him on when the boy wanted to give up and ensured that the boy saw the course to completion where he was reunited with his party. By his unwavering commitment to help those in need through his ability to inspire others by his unequivocal level of motivation, Lcpl Kerr reflected great credit upon himself and was keeping in the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps."

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More than 206,000 people have "liked" the photo since Monday. More than 45,000 have shared it with their Facebook friends.

Kerr received accolades on Twitter, too, where he shared his appreciation for all the recognition.

Fuchs' parents thanked Kerr for his kindness with a gift card to a restaurant.