SANFORD, Fla. — A teenager in Seminole County is preparing for a bittersweet moment.
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Zachariah Cartledge has run miles to honor the memory of fallen first responders for years, but Monday will mark his final mile.
Over the years, this initiative has honored more than 1,500 heroes who lost their lives.
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Hundreds of family members, young runners, and multiple law enforcement agencies from all over the state will be coming together once again Monday night.
It will be a celebration to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Zachariah and his non-profit, Running 4 Heroes, spread awareness and raise funds to help the families of first responders who died in the line of duty.
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The initiative started back in 2019 when he was just 10.
Since then, more and more young runners joined the effort with the same goal.
On Sunday, Zech completed his 1,571 runs.
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It was around Layer Elementary School in Winter Springs.
This time, in honor of Sgt. Elio Diaz, from Charlotte County. Diaz was shot and killed during a traffic stop earlier this month.
Zachariah’s last run will start at 6 p.m. Monday at Decision Tactical in Sanford.
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