Kids & Family
DuPage Sheriff Joins 5K Founded By 10-Year-Old
Zechariah Cartledge, 10, of Florida, started the race to raise funds for families of officers killed in the line of duty.
DUPAGE COUNTY, IL — DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick was joined by 10-year-old Zechariah Cartledge in running DuPage County Running 4 Heroes 5K Saturday. The local race is part of a nationwide effort founded by Cartledge to raise money for families of fallen police officers and firefighters.
Saturday's race was held at Danada Forest Preserve in Naperville. Zechariah came all the way from his home in Florida to make a special appearance running the race with Mendrick. He also stuck around for a meet and greet with residents, local law enforcement, and their families.
The 10-year-old founded the Running for Heroes Facebook page in July. The non-profit began after Zechariah started running a mile for each fallen first responder in his hometown.
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The run would often include Cartledge holding an American flag in honor of the victims.
He hoisted the same flag in the air as he ran the DuPage version of the 5K Saturday.
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Sheriff Mendrick called Cartledge "an inspiration," saying he was "was privileged to run a 5k with Zechariah to honor 3 of [DuPage County's] fallen heroes lost in 2018."
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