The Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s Sixth Annual 5K Race of Hope gathered 220 men, women, and children on the morning of Sunday, August 8, in Southampton Village in support of mental health awareness and research.
Journalist Katie Couric cheered the crowd as Celebrity Grand Marshal during the festive event that raised $325,000 for research into new and better treatments for depression and anxiety.
“Mental health is such a critically important issue, and it’s heartening to see it come out of the woodwork in a way that is unprecedented,” said Couric, speaking from the steps of the Southampton Cultural Center right before the 8:30 AM starting gun.
She added, “HDRF gathers all the top-rated brain scientists in the country and the world to figure out how to tackle these psychological issues, because they are like physical issues and they should be treated as such. A better understanding of how our brains work and how our brain chemistry works — it’s so important.”
HDRF Founding Chair Audrey Gruss and Board member Arthur Dunnam, both Hamptons residents, also stood with Couric as Co-Grand Marshals of the 5K walk/run, which is a USA Track and Field-sanctioned event.
“I founded HDRF to lead research in the causes of depression and in their treatment,” said Gruss to the crowd. “Due to you and your support out here every year for five years, HDRF is now the leading depression research organization in the country. We have several new treatments in clinical trials and we won’t quit until there’s a cure.”
Along with the in-person event, HDRF Race organizers also provided a virtual “opening ceremony” for another 300 participants who signed up to complete the distance in their own hometowns.
