In 2001, I lost my mother to Alzheimer's disease, so to celebrate turning 50 years old in 2014, I am running 50 full marathons during the 2014 calendar year as a fundraiser for the Colorado Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association (REVEL is # 34). My goal is to raise at least $50,000 during the year-long marathon quest to help find a cure for the disease, which currently affects over 5 million Americans.

Watching Mom deteriorate as the disease progressed was undoubtedly the most emotionally painful experience of my life. But watching the physical, mental, and emotional toll it took on my father as he tried to care for her was a close second. So the challenge of running 50 marathons in one year will pale in comparison to what Dad went through as her caregiver.

I'm no stranger to marathon challenges. In 2004, I ran 40 marathons during the calendar year to celebrate turning 40 years old. So running 50 to celebrate turning 50 in 2014 was a natural progression. To be honest, the 2004 marathon quest was a bit selfish – I did it for me, simply as a way to prove to myself that I was still fit at 40. So I want to complete this year’s quest to help others – the individuals who are dealing with this terrible disease, as well as their family members who are facing the difficult and heart-wrenching experience that my family went through with Mom.

I've raised about $18,000 so far and continue to accept donations at http://act.alz.org/goto/DavidKnapp.