A suburban English teacher is using her love for running to raise awareness about the disease that took her father's life.

Kerry Galson is running the 2016 Bank of America Chicago Marathon not only hoping to finishing her first Chicago Marathon, but doing so as she comes to terms with the death of her father, Randy Knudsen.

"I have grief but I have no regrets," Galson said. "I feel an unabiding sense of love and gratitude for the time we had together."

Galson and her siblings are proudly continuing their family teaching legacy. Their father set the standard high, teaching English and debate at Prospect High School for more than 30 years.

"As I have been training I have spent a lot of time thinking about my dad," Galson said. "I have been listening to books we used to read together or had in common."

Galson is running the marathon for the ALZ Stars — a group that raises awareness and funds to benefit the research, care and support of the Alzheimer's Association.

"I think the whole race will be a very emotional time," she said. "I don't know what the emotion will be — whether it will be joy, whether it will be sadness, whether it will be relief — all I know is that there will be an enormous emotional release at the finish."