Over 700 people joined the Chester County commissioners and the district attorney in Exton Park on the morning of Oct. 8 to run, walk and cheer on participants of the sixth annual Chester County Color 5K. Of those present at the event, more than 600 people took part in the timed race.

The event, initiated by Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline in 2016, raises funds to combat opioid and heroin addiction in Chester County. Over five years, the Color 5K raised nearly $200,000 for the county's Community Outreach Prevention and Education (COPE) program, which addresses many aspects of substance use disorder. Organizers anticipate that a further $85,000 will be raised this year through sponsorship support, led by the Color 5K presenting sponsor the John R. Gailey III and JoEllen Berger Charitable Fund.

The COPE program provides 24/7 emergency room support for overdose survivors and their families at all hospitals in Chester County. It also offers overdose prevention information and outreach to first responders, hospital staff, family members and friends, as well as expedited admission into detox and a review of all treatment options for overdose survivors who agree to treatment. In her comments before the start of the Color 5K, Kichline noted that due to COPE, more than 880 people have received treatment after an overdose.

During the Color 5K, many organizations that support drug and alcohol information and recovery services in Chester County set up displays in Exton Park and offered information and advice. A supply of the medication naloxone was also available to those requesting it.

Color blasters heralded the start of the Chester County Color 5K, and color stations along the route doused participants with brightly colored cornstarch.