Hundreds of race participants and supporters of all ages joined the Chester County commissioners and representatives from the District Attorney's Office in Everhart Park in West Chester on Oct. 9 to run, walk and cheer on participants in the fifth Chester County Color 5K.

The annual event, initiated by Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline in 2016, raises funds to combat the opioid and heroin crisis in Chester County. Over four years, the Color 5K raised $160,000 for the county's Community Outreach Prevention and Education (COPE) program, which is addressing many aspects of substance use disorder. It is anticipated that a further $30,000 will be raised because of this year's 5K event.

The COPE program provides emergency room support for overdose survivors and their families at all hospitals in Chester County, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The program also provides overdose prevention information and outreach to first responders, hospital staff, family members and friends. COPE provides 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 more than 380 people have received treatment as a result of COPE since the program's inception.

At the 5K, many organizations that support drug and alcohol information and recovery services in Chester County set up displays in Everhart 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.