The Lethbridge Police Service is teaming up with Running 4 Heroes to host the non-profit’s first run in Canada, August 19, 2023. (File photo: LNN)

By Justin Goulet

Running 4 Heroes to honour fallen Canadian first responders

Aug 18, 2023 | 10:53 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) is teaming up with Running 4 Heroes to host the non-profit’s first run in Canada.

It aims to honour fallen law enforcement officers and firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The non-profit was founded in 2019 by Zechariah Cartledge, then 10-years-old, of Winter Springs, Florida.

In the last four years, other young runners have joined the cause, logging more than 1,500 miles to honour fallen first responders. In 2021, Running 4 Heroes expanded to include police canines. It also grew internationally to include Canadian officers and firefighters.

Their mission includes children across the United States who run for the fallen, including a young woman in New Jersey who will be running to honour fallen Canadian K9 Bingo on Sunday, August 20, 2023. The LPS said this will be the first mile logged for a Canadian police dog.

Additionally, Running 4 Heroes raises funds to financially support injured first responders, families of the fallen, as well as police dogs. To date, more than $800,000 has been raised.

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Zechariah Cartledge traveled to Great Falls, Montana to present a $10,000 grant to an injured officer on Friday, August 18. The LPS said being so close to the Canadian border inspired Cartledge to cross into the country for the first-ever run on Canadian soil.

The run in Lethbridge will start at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 19 at Spitz Stadium, heading east along Parkside Drive South to approximately the Gunnery Point Picnic Shelter, which equals a one mile run. The LPS said the run should take about 10 to 15 minutes and will include an LPS motorcycle in the lead with a marked police car behind Cartledge.

Motorists are advised to expect traffic delays along Parkside Drive South during the run.

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