Teen leads run honoring fallen Apopka firefighter

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. — For seven and a half short minutes, the track outside the Layer Elementary School in Winter Springs was awash with sirens, flags and the heavy footsteps of first responders running in full gear.

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The activity was to honor Austin Duran, the Apopka firefighter who died from being crushed under a sand bucket container while working around his station on June 30.

READ: ‘Our hearts are broken’: Apopka mourns line-of-duty death of firefighter Austin Duran

Plenty of police officers, deputies and firefighters from Apopka and the surrounding agencies were on-hand to attend, including many who completed their mile-long run.

At the front of the pack: 13-year old Zechariah Cartledge, the founder of Running 4 Heroes, Inc, who has become nationally known for honoring every fallen first responder across the United States. His organization uses money collected through fundraising to give out grants to departments near and far.

READ: ‘He was strong’: Firefighter Austin Duran remembered after passing from on-the-job injury

Though he’s completed more than 1,000 miles since his 10th birthday, he was faced with several firsts Monday.

“Apopka hasn’t lost one since we started, and fire departments haven’t lost one in Central Florida since we started,” he said. “This is going to be a massive run, unfortunately.”

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Onlookers said it was one of the biggest events Running 4 Heroes has ever put together. The moment wasn’t lost on the teenager.

“We hope that all of the Central Florida support we have tonight can show [Apopka firefighters and Duran’s family] that we are going to be with them and are going to be on their side,” he said, “No matter what the situation, Central Florida is going to have their back.”

Run for Austin Duran 13-year old Zechariah Cartledge holds a "Thin Red Line" flag to honor Austin Duran, a firefighter who died after being crushed at his fire station on June 30. (Nick Papantonis)

Run for Austin Duran An Apopka firefighter participates in a memorial for Austin Duran, an Apopka firefighter who died after being crushed at his fire station on June 30. (Nick Papantonis)

Run for Austin Duran A firefighter runs one mile during a memorial for Austin Duran, an Apopka firefighter who died after being crushed at his fire station on June 30, 2022. (Nick Papantonis)

Run for Austin Duran First responders listen to a speech by 13-year old Zechariah Cartledge during a memorial for Austin Duran, an Apopka firefighter who died after being crushed at his fire station on June 30. (Nick Papantonis)

Run for Austin Duran Chad Cartledge, father of Running 4 Heroes founder Zechariah Cartledge, speaks to a crowd before an event. (Nick Papantonis)

Run for Austin Duran 13-year-old Running 4 Heroes founder Zechariah Cartledge carries a "Thin Red Line" flag during an event in July, 2022. (Nick Papantonis)

Run for Austin Duran An Apopka firefighter runs one mile to honor Austin Duran, who died after being crushed at his fire station on June 30. (Nick Papantonis)

Run for Austin Duran Zechariah Cartledge holds a photo of Austin Duran, an Apopka firefighter who died after being crushed at his fire station on June 30. (Nick Papantonis)

Run for Austin Duran Bagpipe players perform during a Running 4 Heroes event for Austin Duran, an Apopka firefighter who died after being crushed at his fire station on June 30, 2022. (Nick Papantonis)

Run for Austin Duran 13-year old Zechariah Cartledge leads a memorial run for fallen firefighter Austin Duran, who died after being crushed at his fire station on June 30, 2022. (Nick Papantonis)

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