Noah Aldrich, 14, regularly competes in youth triathlons. Triathlons are long-distance races that involve swimming, biking, and running. Noah hasn’t won a race, but he’s not trying to. He refuses to leave behind his 12-year-old brother, Lucas, who is in a wheelchair. Noah pulls his brother on a raft when he swims and in a trailer when he bikes. He pushes Lucas in a cart during the running portion of the triathlons. 

Lucas has a rare condition called lissencephaly (lih-sehn-SEH-fuh-lee). This means “smooth brain.” People with the condition lack the folds that are  part of a healthy brain. They can have difficulty walking, talking, and swallowing, among other symptoms. 

In Noah’s view, this doesn’t mean that Lucas should be left out. “Even though kids like Lucas have disabilities, it doesn’t mean that they’re limited,” Noah says. “You can find a way to include them in everything.” And that’s exactly what Noah does.

When Noah was 8 years old, his mother showed him a video of two brothers competing in a triathlon. One had a disability. “It inspired me to do that with Lucas,” Noah says. 

Tough Training

Training for such a grueling race isn’t easy, but Noah had an extra challenge. “I couldn’t even swim,” says Noah. “I had to learn before our first triathlon.” 

Noah trained hard in the pool at his local gym. Lucas joined him. 

On race day, Noah wasn’t sure he was ready, but he was determined to try. When they successfully crossed the finish line, Lucas’s face said it all. “He was the happiest I’ve ever seen him,” says Noah. “It was a great experience. We’re still doing it!”

In the six years since their first race, Noah and Lucas have competed in about 30 triathlons together. Noah knows he must work much harder than his competitors to get them both across the finish line. To prepare for races, the brothers train daily. “It’s not easy,” says Noah. “I have to be prepared so I can finish and keep Lucas safe.”

Brotherly Bond

Lucas’s condition can worsen at any time. So the brothers don’t take their time together for granted. “We do everything together,” Noah says. “We go everywhere together.”

They also don’t let the uncertainty about the future hold them back. Their goal is to someday compete in a grueling Ironman Triathlon. 

Noah’s bond with his brother has inspired many people. But Noah doesn’t feel that what he does is anything extraordinary. 

“I just wanted to do something for my brother,” he says. “Lucas doesn’t usually get to compete in typical sports. I can give him something that he doesn’t normally get to experience.”