SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — A powerful effort took place in the Hamptons Sunday to fight depression and fund critical research.
The Depression Research Foundation's ninth annual Race for Hope 5K brought together 1,000 men, women and children in the village of Southampton in support of mental health research and awareness.
Author and influencer Stacey Griffith, founding senior instructor at SoulCycle, served as celebrity grand marshal. The event raised more than $500,000 for research into new and improved treatments for depression and anxiety, organizers said. Both the number of participants and the money raised set new records for the event, they added.
HDRF founder Audrey Gruss and board member Arthur Dunnam, both Hamptons residents, served with Griffith as lead judges for the 5K Walk/Run, a USA-sanctioned track and field event.
“Today we are 1,000 people strong,” Gruff said at the opening ceremony. “We are so excited by this outpouring of support from the community in support of HDRF and its mental health mission. Depression is the number one cause of disability in the world. It's not a tummy ache, it's depression. And now after COVID , one-third of Americans, men, women and children are struggling with symptoms of depression and anxiety, which is why HDRF is working to find new treatments to help people feel better around the world.
Griffith added: “There's no depression on my watch. That's why I'm here with the Race of Hope. I'll be here every summer, forever. When you're involved in something in your community and you're connected to your neighbors and your friends , it brings an energy level to this place where we are, and it vibrates Southampton to a very high point.”
Grier Henchy, 17, attended Sunday's race with her mom Brooke Shields, who was one of the first celebrities to speak out about depression. Henchy, past grand marshal of HDRF's Teen Race of Hope in New York City, is following in Shields' footsteps as a mental health advocate.
Participants set out 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 “sunshine parade,” with everyone wearing HDRF's signature yellow T-shirts and hats, organizers said.
At the end of the race, Gruss handed out awards in various categories, including first prize for best male to Jordan Daniel and first prize for 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 more than $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 race jacket, hat and t-shirt. All runners received a finisher's medal. First, second and third place winners received cash prizes of up to $500.
HDRF also partnered with Revo, an American heritage sunglass brand, for the Race.
