Schoolboy joins heroes in marathon super race

Shortland Street stars Chris Tempest (left) and Tyler Read (right) join Paralympics aspirant Kieran Lane. Photo / Greg Bowker

Cerebral palsy is no obstacle for 16-year-old Auckland schoolboy Kieran Lane, who will run alongside his sporting and celebrity heroes as part of a transtasman race this month.

Kieran, an aspiring Paralympian, will join the New Zealand team when they take on Australia in the five-day, 1300km running, rowing, cycling and sailing race, the Anza Challenge.

The Kiwi team, captained by Marc Ellis, includes Olympic cyclist Alison Shanks, Black Stick Gemma Flynn, Paralympic cyclist Nathan Smith, Paralympian rower Danny McBride - and the Year 12 Auckland Grammar School student.

Kieran will join the team for the 141km Hamilton-to-Auckland leg of the race on October 18.

"It means a lot because it makes me feel a part of a team instead of a solo runner and especially because I will be representing New Zealand."

Despite having cerebral palsy, he trains four times a week.

"It makes me a bit slower ... but I still seem to be good."

Anza begins in Wellington on October 15 with both teams racing for national pride and to raise money for the Halberg Disability Sports Foundation and the McGrath Foundation and Lifestart. The event culminates with members of the public joining in for the final 10km push through downtown Sydney and Auckland.

Shortland Street actors Tyler Read, 21, and Chris Tempest, 27, will join the effort, and met Kieran at Auckland Domain yesterday.

Participants can register for the New Zealand Herald schools 5km race or a 10km adult event at anzachallenge.com