FIFTEEN-year-old Max Shearer will run his first half marathon with his fitness partner Kieron Douglass this weekend.
Ultra runner Kieron met Max about five years ago while filming an episode of an in-house TV show made for the children of the Queensland Children's Hospital.
"Max began explaining his passion for running after previously running the Bridge2Brisbane 10km in 2015 where he raised more than $117,000 for Children's Tumour Bank," Kieron said.
At the age of 10, Max was diagnosed with a rare type of brain cancer called ganglioglioma and since then, has faced many challenges including three brain surgeries, a year of chemotherapy and has lost 50 per cent of his vision.
"Since that day Max and I became the best of mates. When I would run my ultra marathons, Max would turn up at 2am in the morning to run with me.
"When Max would run his events. I would be there running right beside him," Kieron said.
Max and Kieron have run five 10km Bridge2Brisbane's together and support each other all the way.
"There was one particular day when I was running and Max told me I was his hero, It really choked me up that someone like Max who had been through hell and back would think I am a hero. It is Max who is my hero," Kieron said.
The pair will tackle the Gold Coast Virtual ASICS Half Marathon around Victoria Point starting at the Victoria Point Pier and finishing at Wilson Esplanade Park on Sunday.