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 got separated from his group and asked 19-year-old Kerr: ‘Sir, will you please run with me?'

The soldier gave up any chance of winning the race, falling far behind his comrades, to encourage the boy the rest of the way.

The photo has been shared and "liked" on social media more than a half million times.

(READ the full story in the Daily Mail)