The Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) is pleased to announce that iconic author, journalist and television producer Candace Bushnell will be the celebrity Grand Marshal of its Seventh Annual Race of Hope to Defeat Depression on Sunday, August 7, 2022, in Southampton Village. The Race attracts over 500 participants from the tri-state area to raise mental health awareness and fund research.

HDRF Founding Chair Audrey Gruss and HDRF Advisory Board member Arthur Dunnam, both Hamptons residents, will join Bushnell as Co-Grand Marshals of the 2022 Race.

Bushnell, Gruss and Dunnam will lead participants on a beautiful 5K (3.1) mile route around Lake Agawam in Southampton Village. Some run this USA Track and Field-sanctioned event competitively, others stroll casually with their friends and dogs. But they are all united in a common purpose – to support research into new treatments for depression and to fight the stigma still associated with seeking help.

HDRF has been a leader in research since 2006, convening top brain researchers from different universities to pool data and expertise to find and fast-track novel treatments to clinical trials. Currently, a clinical trial for a new category of medication is underway at Mount Sinai and Columbia.

Participants include professional and first-time runners, corporate teams, families, and children. Strollers and dogs are welcome. To participate, please visit www.hopefordepression.org/events.

All Race participants receive a commemorative ultra-lightweight jacket, t-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.