Instead of chasing each other, thousands of young boys and girls converged to chase a new record for Chester County: its largest 5K race.

Separate running programs of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine for youth in third through eighth grade combined for the latest Girls on the Run 5K that started at Henderson High School in West Chester and followed the hills of Goshen Road and Walnut Street. Along with the nearly 2,000 participants enrolled in Girls on the Run and STRIDE for boys, more than 1,000 other community members joined in for a 5K run that ended up 3K participants strong.

“It builds my self confidence and teaches me to be the best I can be,” 10-year-old runner Alyssa from Bradford Heights Elementary School said in a report by The Times of Chester County. “The best part is finishing and knowing I tried my best.”

Through weeks of regular practices, the running programs teach the young runners “how exercise can help them in life, … the correct steps to get fit … (and) valuable confidence- and character-building lessons to last a lifetime,” the article stated.

Read more about the event and see a full list of race results in The Times of Chester County here.