Hope for Depression Research Foundation Raises Over $1 Million For Seventh Anniversary of Palm Beach Race of Hope
The Race Of Hope Draws Over 1,200 Participants to Bradley Park to Raise Mental Health Awareness
Scott Snyder and Audrey Gruss at the Start Line
Photo By: Caryn Leigh
On Saturday, February 15th, 2025, the Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) celebrated the Seventh Anniversary of its Race of Hope 5K Walk & Run to Defeat Depression in Palm Beach at Bradley Park. The event gathered 1,200 people on Saturday morning in Palm Beach to support mental health awareness and urgent research into depression and anxiety.
The festive event raised a new record of $1 Million for HDRF’s advanced life-saving mental health research into new treatments for clinical depression. The presenting sponsor for the event was Findlay Galleries.
HDRF Founding Chair Audrey Gruss and Board member Scott Snyder served as the Co-Grand Marshals of the 5K walk/run, which started at 8 AM at Bradley Park in Palm Beach.
“The stars are all aligned,” said Gruss. “The sun is going to be here any second. We have the most amazing crowd here today for the Hope for Depression Research Foundation. A lot of you have asked what we can do for Hope for Depression. Well, you are doing it by being here. You’re showing the visibility of the cause. You’re showing that you care. You’re showing to the media that you care and that this is a cause worth coming out for.”
At the starting gun, participants set off to complete the 3.1-mile course starting at Bradley Park, as they took in the beautiful views of the Palm Beach Lake Trail.
Lining up in the start corrals were professional runners, walkers, families with children and dogs, and teams from local businesses such Ladies of Dunbar, Le Bilboquet, Oxbridge Academy, Palm Beach Day Academy, The Carriage House and The Colony.
All race participants wore hats, shirts and jackets in HDRF’s signature yellow, creating a sea of sunshine with blue skies and palm trees as their backdrop. The Race of Hope is a USA Track and Field-sanctioned event.
At the close of the Race, Audrey Gruss presented Awards to the top finishers and to the top fundraisers. The top Overall Male winner was Sean Clark, and the top Overall Female winner was Niki Desjardin. The Award for Top Fundraising Team went to Team Le Bilboquet, which raised $18,000. The Award for Top Individual Fundraiser from the PB Race of Hope Committee went to Mona Nasser, who raised $5,500. The Award for the Largest Team went to Captain Sarah Wetenhall of Team It Takes a Colony, representing The Colony Hotel with 46 members.
Committee Race participants included: : Diego Binetti, Bob Murray, Frances & Jeffrey Fisher, Christina Flaherty, Barbara & Alan Glatt, Jamee & Peter Gregory, Kaaren & Charles Hale, Eleanora Kennedy, Kamie Lightburn, Teresa & Jim Remez, Christine Schott, Jeff Sophir, Eddy Taylor, Barbera Hale Thornhill, Pam & Richard Williams and Nancy Yanofsy & Ed Brown.
Junior Committee participants included: Zoe Bullock Cacioppo, Katherine Lande & Kevin Condon, Chloe Pearl Glaser, Cece Glatt, Jennifer Gowdy, Maggi Haigh, Stacey Leuliette, Jennnifer Lourie, Bryan Ludwig, Elizabeth Marshman, Taylor Materio, Nick Mele, Mona Nasser, Matthew Oleszczuk, Hollis Bradley Pica, Whitney Schott, Kirsten Smith, Grant Sory, Alanna Sutherland, Eric Viner and Sarah Wetenhall
You can see the Race of Hope in the news and view wonderful photos of the day by following the links below:
Palm Beach Daily News Photo Gallery
You can view all of the finisher times by clicking here.
Thank you again to ALL our event donors, participants, and volunteers. Your commitment to HDRF’s critical research mission is making a world of difference.
Photo Credit: CAPEHART
