Ninth Annual Race of Hope to Defeat Depression in Southampton Breaks All Previous Records

1,000 Participants and $500,000 Raised for Depression Research

Co-Grand Marshals Stacey Griffith, Audrey Gruss, and Arthur Dunnam at the Start Line

Photo By: Maria Wurtz

The Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s (HDRF) Ninth Annual 5K Race of Hope brought together 1000 men, women, and children on Sunday, August 4 in Southampton Village in support of research and mental health awareness.  Acclaimed author and influencer Stacey Griffith, Founding Senior Master Instructor at SoulCycle,  cheered the crowd as Celebrity Grand Marshal.

The event raised over $500,000 for research into new and improved treatments for depression and anxiety.  Both the number of participants and dollars raised set new records for the event, which continues to grow each year.

HDRF founder Audrey Gruss and Board member Arthur Dunnam, served with Griffith as Co-Grand Marshals of the 5K Walk/Run (3.1 miles), which is a USA Track and Field-sanctioned event.

At the opening ceremony, Audrey Gruss said: “Today we are a thousand people strong. We are so uplifted by this groundswell of support from the community in support of HDRF and its mental health mission.  Depression is the number one reason in the world for disability. It is not a tummy ache, it is depression. And now after Covid, a third of Americans, men, women, and children are struggling with symptoms of depression and anxiety. That’s why HDRF is working to find new treatments to help people feel better worldwide.”

Celebrity Grand Marshal Stacey Griffith said: “There is no depression on my watch!” with a smile and a fist pump.  “That is why I am here with the Race of Hope. I will be here every summer, forever and ever.“ She added: “When you participate in something in your community, and you’re connected to your neighbors and your friends, it brings an energy level to this part of where we are, and it vibrates Southampton to a really high place.”

Grier Henchy, 17, participated in Sunday’s Race with her famous mom Brooke Shields, who was one of the first celebrities to speak openly about depression.  Henchy, a previous Grand Marshal of HDRF’s Teen Race of Hope in NYC, is following in Shields’ footsteps as a passionate mental health advocate.

Hope and good vibes were palpable as participants set off from the starting line to complete the 3.1-mile course around Lake Agawam and the tree-lined streets of Southampton, NY.  They created a parade of sunshine, with everyone donning t-shirts and caps in HDRF’s signature sunshine yellow.

At the close of the race, Audrey Gruss handed out awards in several categories, including First Prize for best male to Jordan Daniel, and First Prize for the best female time to Jenny Grimshaw.   The award for the largest team went to Josh Gruss and his team, Team Fleming, with 58 members.  Team Fleming also won an award for raising  over $9,000.  The award for Top Individual Fundraiser went to Arthur Dunnam, who raised $39,425 from friends and family for his race.

The first 600 participants to pick up their gear received an HDRF-branded ultra-lightweight jacket, hat and race shirt. All racers received a finisher medal.  The first, second, and third-place winners received cash prizes of up to $500.

HDRF also partnered with Revo, an American heritage sunglass brand renowned for its polarized lenses, for the Race. The first 100 participants who arrived at Early Race Packet Pick Up received a voucher for a pair of Revo sunglasses. Additionally, the first female and male winners each were awarded a pair of Revo sunglasses.

Race participants included: Krista and Alex Bard, Diego Binetti, Janna Bullock, Susan Cushing, Philippe Delgrange and Team Bilboquet, Arthur Dunnam, Christina Flaherty, Alan and Barbara Glatt, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Kim Heirston, Karen and Richard LeFrak, Anne Nordeman, Stacey Pashcow and Marc Caputo, John Paulson and Alina de Almeida, Campion and Tatiana Platt, James and Teresa Remez and their daughters Sofia and Lila, Lis Waterman and Victoria Wyman.

You can see wonderful photos of the day below.

You can view all of the finisher times by clicking here.

Thank you again to ALL our event donors, participants, and volunteers. Your commitment to HDRF’s critical research mission is making a world of difference.