Mason Bain, 14, and his home health nurse and running partner Stephanie MacIsaac at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth on Friday. The two are running Beach to Beacon for the second year in a row. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)

Mason Bain is a thrill-seeker. And the 14-year-old from Kennebunkport never lets his wheelchair get in the way of his need for speed.

For the past nine years, Mason, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as an infant and is nonverbal, has gotten assistance from his nurse, Stephanie MacIsaac. Through appointments, physical therapy and daily routines, she became more than a friend and a nurse: She also became a running partner.

With Mason in a new wheelchair and MacIsaac pushing, the duo will be taking on their second Beach to Beacon 10K this weekend in Cape Elizabeth.

“ You can just tell” how much he loves to race, MacIsaac said. “He lights right up, and his yelling is very telling. It’s such a happy yell.”

The duo will participate in the wheelchair division, which kicks off at 7:50 a.m. They received a complimentary invite to race in an effort to grow the size of both the para-athlete and duo fields in the event, according to AdaptX, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities participate in fitness activities.

AdaptX also donated a new running chair to support Mason and MacIsaac, thanks to a Hoyt Running Chair Grant. The adaptive racing wheelchair allows for one racer to push or tow their partner. Such mobility aids often cost upward of $6,000.

The organization surprised the duo in June by announcing that they were the grant recipients.

This is Mason and MacIsaac’s seventh year racing together. MacIsaac had been running since before she began working with Mason, but when she noticed his love for the outdoors, she considered he might like to try racing.

He loved it from the start.

Their goal is to eventually do a full marathon together, most likely once Mason turns 18.

Mason’s love for adrenaline doesn’t stop at racing. He spends his winters participating in adaptive skiing. His mom, Breydin Strandburg, said Mason also surfed for a few years.

His face lights up just hearing his nurse and his mother talk about his endeavors, with a smile that spreads from ear to ear. MacIsaac said that’s why they do it. 

One of Mason’s favorite parts of racing is being surrounded by other racers and spectators, all cheering him on. 

“ When people run by him and are cheering him on, he lights up right away,” MacIsaac said.

Mason has also been an inspiration for his two younger siblings, 8-year-old sister Emerson and 5-year-old brother Hudson. The two ran the Beach to Beacon Kids Fun Run on Friday afternoon, less than 20 hours before cheering on their brother in his race with MacIsaac. 

Strandburg said Mason’s sister has become very competitive because of him.

“She was like, ‘ Oh, if he can do this, why am I not doing it?’” Strandburg said. “ Her plan, she told me the other day, is that if Steph ever can’t run with him for a race, that she’s gonna run with him.” 

After Mason’s diagnosis, Strandburg said she couldn’t help but grow concerned for how cerebral palsy would impact her son’s life. Over time, she realized that his diagnosis didn’t define him. Now, the few extra steps it takes to get him ready to race are nothing compared to the smile on her son’s face when he hits the track. 

“Our goal for Mason’s life is to always include him,” she said. “Mason and Steph share such a special bond that watching them race with each other is truly amazing.”

“I can’t wait to see them continue their journey together and bring awareness to inclusion in adaptive sports,” she added.

Mason Bain and Stephanie MacIsaac at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth on Friday. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)

MacIsaac shares a smile with Mason as she agrees that the racing has strengthened their bond.

“ It’s also something that I do with him specifically that isn’t just work,” she said. “ But when we get to do these fun things and he can be included in the community and things that I get to do or eventually his siblings would get to do, it’s just really special.”

When you wish him luck in the race, Mason’s face does exactly what his race partner and his mom describe: It completely lights up.