If you Google “running, biking or walking in West Chester, Pa.,” you’ll find more than 50,000 Web links.

Three years ago, Alison Gracey did a similar Internet search when trying to decide if she should move from North Carolina to West Chester. As an avid biker and runner, she knew she wanted her new home to support her active lifestyle.

“They do a very good job in West Chester of promoting physical fitness,” Gracey says. “It really depends on how involved you want to get, but you’ll find a wonderful community here that is incredibly helpful and friendly.”

With locales like Valley Forge Park, Brandywine Creek State Park and the active downtown area, residents have ideal locations to get together and enjoy their favorite recreation.

Since moving to West Chester in 2006, Gracey joined the West Chester Running Club and West Chester Biking Club. In the biking club, Gracey found a broad range of bikers through niche groups such as the all-female Biker Chicks and a group that is training for a triathlon.

The West Chester Running Club also tries to meet the needs of various members at different levels through group runs, social events and organized races, says longtime member Dan Holland.

“West Chester is an active community,” Holland says. “A lot of people are playing soccer, biking, running and doing things to stay active. There’s a lot going on.”

Throughout the years, the running club has sponsored West Chester’s annual Brian’s Run. The race, which includes walking and running, brings thousands of athletes to West Chester to raise money for various charities. John Manion and other local runners organized the 2009 event while also gearing up for the second annual Dub C 4-Miler, a race through the heart of downtown launched in 2009.

“West Chester is a very active town with many runners and cyclists,” Manion says. “We noticed people out at various times of the day, so I threw the gauntlet down that we should have a summer race to highlight all these active people.”

With more than 800 runners last year, the Dub C was able to donate more funds than anticipated to several local charitable organizations.

According to Scott Purcell, co-owner of the West Chester Running Store, West Chester holds approximately 15 to 20 races each year. While most events are held for charity, they also help promote local businesses through sponsorships and offer athletes opportunities for competition.

Events such as the Turkey Burner 5K, Terry’s Run and the Chamber's Jingle Elf Run are just a few examples of events that Purcell’s store sponsors each year. The shop also holds regular injury-prevention clinics for runners and walkers.

“We want to keep people healthy and keep them moving,” Purcell says. “But we’re not just targeting the adults here. We really want to get kids involved in running, too. We want them to be active and healthy their whole life.”