Sailor Brinkley-Cook and Jack Brinkley-Cook Lead More Than 750 Participants at Fourth Annual Race of Hope to Defeat Depression
Sailor Brinkley Cook, Jack Brinkley Cook at Start Line Credit Jakes VanderWatt for Rob Rich at SocietyAllure.com
More than 750 men, women, and gathered on a sunny Sunday morning in Southampton to take part in Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s (HDRF) fourth annualRace of Hope to Defeat Depression.
Thehigh-energy crowd set out at 8:30 AM to complete a tree-lined 5K course around Lake Agawam.RaceCo-Grand MarshalsSailor Brinkley Cook,Jack Brinkley Cook,HDRF FounderAudrey Gruss,andBoard memberArthur Dunnamled the way. The USA Track and Field-sanctioned race raised more than $275,000 for advanced depression research, setting a new record for the event.
Speaking from the steps of the Southampton Cultural Center just before the starting gun,HDRF Founder and Chair Audrey Grusssaid,”In the United States, depression is the leading cause of suicide, and affects more than 18-million adults each year. Among teens, depression and suicide rates are the highest on record. We are workingto turn the tide on depression and suicide in this country, but we can’t do it without your help, so thank you all for coming out to support the cause today.”
Hope was in abundant supply as everybody sported caps and tech shirts in HDRF’s signature sunshine yellow. The competitive runners, joined bySailor Brinkley CookandJack Brinkley Cook,burst through the starting line, followed by first-time runners, walkers, corporate teams, families, children, and plenty of canine friends.
Following the race, Audrey Gruss and her team presented medals for best times in various age categories.Dan Gargarowon thebest time in the Adult Male category, andTara Farrellwon the best time in the Adult Female category.Griffin Schwartz, age 13,won for best youth male (13-15), andLily Kurmanick, age 13, wonfor best youth female (13-15). Gruss then presentedArthur Dunnamwith an award forTop Fundraising Team, andScott Snyderwith an award for Top Individual Fundraiser.Kim Heirstonreceived the runner up award, and a notable mention highlighting that $10,000 of the funds she had raised had been donated byOprah Winfrey.
All race participants received a shirt, finisher medal, reflective race hat and a long-sleeve 1/4 zip pullover.The first, second, and third place winners received cash prizes of up to $500. Successful fundraisers also received prizes for raising upwards of $250 and $1,000.
This year’s Race of Hope once again was the grand finale of theWeek of Hope, a village-wide campaign in Southampton to raise mental health awareness.The Week was launched on Thursday, July 25, atRalph Lauren. Two hundred local business owners includingBrook’s Brothers,J. Crew,The White Company, theSouthampton Arts Center, theSouthampton Chamber of Commerce, andSouthampton Town Hall“turned yellow” by placing two-foot-wide yellow statement balloons (environmentally safe and re-usable)by their front door to symbolize hope and their commitment to changing the staggering statistics around depression.
Additional Race participants included: The Watermill Center’sRobert Wilson, Southampton Hospital’sSteve Bernstein,Hilary Geary Ross,Marigay McKee and Bill Ford,Lisa M. Aery,JameeandPeter Gregory,Martin Gruss,Campion Plattand his children,Samantha GregoryandRoberto Benabibwith their daughter,Carolina Gregory-Benabib,Somers Farkas,Janna Bullock,Lucia Hwong Gordon,Carol Mack,Tom and Clelia Zacharias,Susan and Joe Meyer,Serena Bowman,Nona CollinandKaren and Richard LeFrak.
The Race of Hope was supportedbySouthampton residents includingJamee 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, andClelia and Tom Zacharias.
TheRace of Hope starts the lead-in to HDRF’s 13thAnnual Luncheon Seminar which will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The event will focus on “Depression and Anxiety; Diagnosis and Latest Treatments,” and will salutethe research progress of HDRF’s acclaimed team of world-renowned brain researchers.
Photo Credits: Jakes VanderWatt for Rob Rich at SocietyAllure.com
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