He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother: 8-year-old boy carries disabled brother through triathlon

Noah Aldrich swam, pushed and pedalled his six year old brother Lucas across the entire course

Noah pulled and pushed his disabled brother Lucas along the entire triathlon course

(Aldrich Family/Lucas House )

Noah and Lucas Aldrich are "inseparable," which explains how they completed a whole triathlon together, with Noah pulling and pushing his disabled brother along the length of the entire course.

Six-year-old Lucas has a rare genetic neurologic condition called Lissencephaly, which severely affects his motor skills, meaning he cannot sit or walk, speak or eat by himself.

But his eight-year-old brother Noah has never seen this as a reason that either of them should not be able to play together, bike or ski together, or indeed complete a triathlon together, and duly signed the pair up for the sporting event organised by the local YMCA in Boise, Idaho, in America.

"I like everything about him; he’s perfect," Noah told KTVB. They both like to watch cartoons together, Noah said, explaining that Mickey Mouse is Lucas’s favourite show. "He’s just like any other kid out there," he said.

It is this attitude that led to Noah and Lucas training together for the triathlon for three months, and to Noah pulling Lucas through a 200 meter swim, pedalling him along in a 200 meter bike ride, and pushing him through a one mile run, with the boys completing the race in just over 54 minutes.

Their mother, Alissa Aldrich, told the New York Daily News of how proud she was of her sons: "It was a little nerve wracking but exciting and exhilarating at the same time. We’re definitely proud. As a parent it was an incredible thing to watch."

She said Lucas was beaming after the race, adding: "I think he definitely knew he was part of something special."

"They're inseparable and they always have had a really close bond," she told Buzzfeed. "When Noah walks into the room, you can see the twinkle in [Lucas's] eyes."

The boys took part in the triathlon wearing 'Lucas House' t-shirts, which is a place run by the Aldrich family intended for children with life-threatening conditions and their families to visit, receiving respite and end of life care where needed.

Lucas House offers pet therapy, hydrotherapy and music therapy, among other forms of therapy, funded by partnerships, donations, fundraisers and grants.