DENVER (CBS4) – Organizers of Saturday’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s are calling the event a huge success.

Thousands walked around City Park on Saturday morning to raise money and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado. Many of the walkers have family members battling the disease so the walk was personal for them.

“I just came out here for a little run in memory of our grandmother who passed away in June from Alzheimer’s,” AJ Sandoval said. “We’re just out here doing it in her memory.”

“Just crossing the finish line they asked me who I was walking for and I’m walking for my grandma, Theresa, who is in a home in Oshkosh, Nebraska,” Theresa Adelfinger said. “I have other members here who have parents who are suffering from Alzheimer’s and it’s a very emotional day.”

Organizers said they expected to raise a record $725,000 from the walk. It was the 23rd year for the event.

LINK: Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado