Over 700 people participating in the Chester County Color 5K Run dashed through prismatic plumes in Exton to raise money for combating the heroin and opioid crisis in Chester County, according to a report by The Daily Local News

Since its inception in 2016, the race has raised almost $200,000 for the Community Outreach Prevention and Education (COPE) program.

The COPE program gives 24/7 overdose support for overdose survivors as well as informs health professionals and the community about overdose prevention. The program has so far treated 880 people who have experienced an overdose, according to Commissioner Michelle Kichline, who initiated the Color Run. It is estimated that this year’s race raised $85,000 to the COPE program.  

Addiction and overdose prevention organizations set up shop in the park, supplying free naloxone and giving away information. Volunteers coated runners in the vividly colored powder throughout the event, giving onlookers spectacular visuals.  

“Events like the Color 5K are bittersweet,” said Kichline. “We are all here to enjoy the race and to raise awareness and money, but at the same time, we reflect on the senselessness of 101 beautiful lives lost to addiction in 2021, and the tremendous struggles of those who continue to battle substance use disorder. We will continue to do everything we can to fight this dreadful disease.” 

Read more about Chester County’s annual 5K run to fight addiction on the The Daily Local News.