Lake Travis Fire Rescue firefighter coaches firefighters through Austin Marathon

Lake Travis Fire Lt. Rachel Zambrano will coach and monitor five firefighters from across the nation as they run the Austin Marathon in full firefighter gear Feb. 16.

The firefighters are running to raise funds for cancer research and for firefighters with burn injuries, she said.

Zambrano ran the race two years ago in honor of her friend Leonard Reed, a Cedar Park police officer who was killed during a training accident. She raised money for scholarships for students interesting in fire and police training, she said.

She said she will help coach the firefighters and monitor their status—she will make sure they take in enough nutrients and do not overheat—but she is glad she isn't running this year, she said.

"It isn't the hardest thing I've ever done, but it's up there," said Zambrano, who has worked for Lake Travis Fire Rescue for more than 14 years.

The group of four men and one woman will meet in Cedar Park Feb. 15 to prepare for the marathon, which takes place Feb. 16 beginning at 7 a.m. at the corner of 16th Street and Congress Avenue.