On Sunday August 4, 2019, at 8:30 AM, Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) will host the fourth annual Race of Hope to defeat depression, led by Grand Marshals Sailor Brinkley Cook and Jack Brinkley Cook, HDRF Founder Audrey Gruss and Arthur Dunnam.  At the Race, more than 600 racers will take a beautiful three-mile route around Lake Agawam in Southampton Village. The USA Track and Field sanctioned event will raise awareness and funds for advanced depression research. In 2018, more than 500 participants of all ages helped raise more than $250,000, with every dollar raised going directly to research.

Sailor Brinkley Cook and Jack Brinkley Cook are the children of supermodel Christie Brinkley and part of an iconic Hamptons family with deep roots in the East End. Both in their early 20s, the siblings represent a post millennial generation that is not only more open about mental health issues, but also increasingly vulnerable. Rates of depression and suicide among teens have risen sharply in the past decade, according to recent studies.

The Race of Hope brings the community together to turn the tide on depression through research and education.  It is supported by local residents including Jamee and Peter Gregory, Kim Heirston, Leonard and Judy Lauder, Marigay McKee and Bill Ford, Kitty & Bill McKnight III, Thomas C. Quick, Scott Snyder, Lisa M. Aery, Serena Bowman, Sharon Bush, Susan Gutfreund, Yaz and Valentin Hernandez, The Honorable and Mrs. Earle Mack, Margo M. and James L. Nederlander, Robert Nederlander, Hilary Geary Ross, Clelia and Tom Zacharias.

Participants come from all over the tristate area and beyond, including professional and first-time runners, walkers, corporate teams, families, and children, to unite as a community to raise awareness about this widespread, costly and often deadly illness.  HDRF funds groundbreaking research that will transform the way depression is viewed, diagnosed, treated and prevented. To participate, please visit www.hopefordepression.org/events. All Race participants receive a commemorative long-sleeve quarter zip pullover shirt, short-sleeve moisture-wicking tech shirt, race hat, and huge finisher medal; and prizes are awarded for best time in different age categories as well as for the top individual fundraiser and top fundraising team.

Registration Information:

• Date: Sunday August 4, 2019
• Meeting Point: The Cultural Center, 25 Pond Lane, Southampton, NY

• Time: Check-in begins at 7:15 AM and the Race of Hope begins at 8:30 AM. Breakfast treats will be served at 9:15am before the award ceremony takes place.
• Cost:  Youth (14 & under) Up To Race Day $15| Students Up To Race Day: $20 | Adults: Sat. 6/1/19: $30 | Sun. 7/7/19: $35 | Sat. 8/3/19 – Early Packet Pick Up: $40 |Sun. 8/4/19 – Race Day: $50
• Strollers and Dogs welcome

Audrey Gruss founded HDRF in April 2006 in memory of her mother Hope, who struggled with clinical depression. Today, HDRF is the leading nonprofit organization focused solely on depression research and public education. The World Health Organization has declared depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide, but despite its prevalence, depression is still misunderstood, underfunded and under-researched. The mission of the HDRF is to fund innovative neuroscience research into the origins, medical diagnosis, new treatments, and prevention of depression and its related mood disorders – bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, and suicide.