On Sunday, August 8th, Katie Couric led 220 participants at the sixth annual 5K Race of Hope to Defeat Depression in Southampton, helping to raise $325,000 for advanced depression research.
The Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s Sixth Annual 5K Race of Hope gathered 220 men, women, and children on Sunday morning in Southampton Village in support of mental health awareness and research. Iconic 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.”
At the starting gun, participants set off in staggered waves to complete the 3.1-mile course around Lake Agawam and the tree-lined streets of Southampton, NY. Many sported hats, shirts and vests in HDRF’s signature yellow, creating a sea of sunshine against the backdrop of cloudy skies.
The staggered heats were a safety measure to avoid crowding and ensure a safe return to in person racing. While fundraising broke records, the number of participants was down compared to normal years with turn-outs of over 700. This is likely due to the slow reopening of public life and multiple demands on our time in the post-Covid era.
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. A live broadcast streamed on the HDRF website, featuring messages of hope from runners across the country and a countdown to the 8:30 AM starting gun.
At the close of the Race, Audrey Gruss handed out Awards for several categories. First Prize for best male time went to Sergey Avramenko, and First Prize for the best female time went to Una Broderick. The Award for Top Fundraising Team went to Jessica Wagner and Team Wagner, which raised $2,000. The Award for Top Individual Fundraiser went to Arthur Dunnam, who raised $36,468 from friends and family for his race. The award for largest team went to Natasha Jefferies and her team, Dakari’s Heartbeat, with 13 members.
All race participants received an ultra-lightweight vest, hat, race shirt, mask, and finisher medal. The first, second, and third place winners received cash prizes of up to $500. Successful fundraisers also received special prizes for raising upwards of $250 and $1,000.
Race participants included: Lisa M. Aery, Carolina Benabib, Bill Bone, Janna Bullock, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Kim Heirston, Tania Higgins, Karen and Richard LeFrak, Matt Oleszczuk, Jenny and John Paulson, James and Teresa Remez and their daughters Sofia and Lila, Mirella Cameran-Reilly, Kevin Richards, Scott Snyder, Susan and Rob Taylor, Victoria Wyman, Clelia & Tom Zacharias and Richard Ziegelasch.