Brian's Run

Brian's Run will have a 5k and a 5 mile option this year.  It will be in Downtown West Chester. It has been listed as a "Top 10 Race To Do" by Philly Magazine and is one of the longest running races in the area.  This year's race will be held in Downtown West Chester.  T-Shirts to the first 125 people to sign up.

This year's race will benefit the West Chester Food Cupboard.

Nuber pickup will start at Noon at Stove and Tap in the main restaurant. This is located on the corner of  Darlington Street and West Gay Streets. (158 W. Gay St)  The awards ceremony and post-race party will be here also. Stove and Tap will be featuring a bank and drink specials at the Post race event.

Race History:

Brian’s Run began in 1978 as a one-time fund raising event to benefit Brian Bratcher, a West Chester Henderson High School football player who sustained a life-challenging spinal cord injury at the age of 15 during a scrimmage.

Brian was paralyzed that year, and his friends, their parents and the community as a whole wanted to help.

They organized a race and hoped to raise $500. That first year, 2,000 runners participated and the effort raised $20,000 to help Brian with his expenses. After 1979, Brian felt he had benefited enough from the proceeds and asked to have others benefit from the annual event.

The race for years has raised funds for disabled people from the community who need help with physical mobility, seeing and communication.

In 2009, the race changed from a 10k to a 5 mile lop. The course is a challenging out and back through West Chester, starting and ending at Henderson High School, Brian’s alma mater. 

In year's past, the race has attracted thousands of runners – ranging from locals to nationals and international participants — and has been called one of the “100 Great Races” by Runner’s World and one of the “Top 10 Philly Races To Do” by Philadelphia Magazine. In recent years, the race-day activities have drawn about 3,000 participants and many spectators who spend the day volunteering and cheering on the runners.