9th Annual Race For Hope Raises $500K+ For Depression Research

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A mighty effort was made in the Hamptons Sunday to fight depression and fund critical research.

The Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s Ninth Annual 5K Race of Hope brought together 1,000 men, women, and children in Southampton Village in support of research and mental health awareness.

Author and influencer Stacey Griffith, founding senior master 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 funds 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 co-grand marshals of the 5K Walk/Run, a USA Track and Field-sanctioned event.

"Today we are 1,000 people strong," Gruff said, at the opening ceremony. "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.”

Griffith added: "There is no depression on my watch. That is why I am here with the Race of Hope. I will be here every summer, forever and ever. 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 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 mental health advocate.

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 yellow, organizers said.

At the end of the race, 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 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 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, for the Race.