Chester County officials announced that this year’s Color 5k race, which aims to raise awareness and funds to help combat the ongoing opioid and heroin crisis, will take place on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Exton Park and the Chester Valley Trail, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY. 

Proceeds from the seventh annual race will go towards Chester County’s Community Outreach Prevention and Education program to support warm hand-offs — a process of transferring a patient from the care of one health provider to a community treatment center. 

Pre-registration is already available online, and on-site registration will start at 8 AM. The race will begin at 9 AM. 

“Since we started this, we’ve raised over $200,000,” said Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline. “It’s really terrific.” 

Kichline led the effort to establish the run in 2016. 

Once again, the event’s presenting sponsor is the John R. Gailey and JoEllen Berger Charitable Trust. 

“They’ve done this since 2019, and we’re really grateful for their support,” said Kichline. “They’re doing it in memory of a loved one, which is wonderful, and every year we’ve gotten thousands of participants.” 

Read more about the Color 5K in WHYY. 

_____