Chesco 5-K Color Run To Fight Opioid Addiction Returns

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — As you’re driving along the highway, you may start to notice Chester County Color 5K run signs popping up.

That’s because planning has already begun for the 6th annual 5K Color Run to combat opioids and heroin addiction.

The run is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8th, along the Chester Valley Trail, starting in Exton Park.

Pre-race registration is open for individuals and teams at www.chesco.org/color5k. Race-day registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and the race starts at 9:00 a.m.

Funds raised will support Chester County’s Community Outreach Prevention and Education – or COPE – program.

Chester County’s creation of the COPE program has proved to be step forward in the effort to try and steer those who have overdosed into a treatment setting, which ultimately can lead to recovery, officials said.

“The goal of COPE is to work with overdose survivors, helping to move them from the ER to treatment, with their approval, regardless of insurance status,” said Commissioner Josh Maxwell.

Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said the county lost 109 people to drug overdoses in 2021.

“The Color 5K is such an important event because it’s a chance for us to come together to stand against the catastrophic effects of drugs," Ryan said.

Commissioner Michelle Kichline’s determination to address the opioid and heroin crisis in the county led to the first color run scheduled six years ago.

“When the pandemic hit us in 2020, we were already facing a health crisis with the opioid epidemic,” Kichline said. “And while the pandemic took attention away from this crisis, deaths due to overdose increased nationwide.”

Marian Moskowitz, commissioners’ chairwoman, said the county is grateful to the trustees of the John R. Gailey III and JoEllen Berger Charitable Fund for taking the lead as presenting sponsor.

“This support will help us to leverage even more funding, and directly help those suffering from substance use disorder,” Moskowitz said.

The Chester County Color 5K is administered by the Chester County Community Foundation. All Color 5K sponsorships can be noted as 501(c)(3) charitable tax deductions.

For more information on sponsorship contact Rebecca Brain, Chester County public information officer at rbrain@chesco.org.