In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) will hold its Third Annual Teen Race of Hope to Defeat Depression in Manhattan at Pier 76 Hudson River Park on Sunday, May 18, 2025. Soul Cycle Master Instructor Stacey Griffith – a mental health advocate and social media influencer will serve as the Race Emcee and deejay for the event.
The state of teen mental health is urgent, experts warn. More than one in three high school students reported feeling persistent sadness and hopelessness, a 40% increase since 2009, according to a recent national survey. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 15 to 19; and almost 4,000 children and teens attempt suicide every day.
HDRF created the Teen Race to provide teens and their families with a screen-free occasion to connect, be active, and raise mental health awareness. The event is organized with a working group of teen leaders from different public and private schools throughout New York City.
HDRF also hosts a Race of Hope annually in Palm Beach and Southampton, but the Teen Race of Hope is specifically focused on what experts say is an alarming collapse of adolescent mental health in the United States.
Noelle Saldana, a senior at Fieldston School in the Bronx and Anysa Bickici, a senior at Dalton School in Manhattan, will serve as the Co-Lead Student Ambassadors.
Saldana said: “As I prepare for the event and continue to spread the word with friends and family, I want to thank everyone working to make the Race happen. HDRF is a team and there’s so many people working to make this the best Race yet!”
Anysa Bickici said: “In my third year of involvement with HDRF, I have loved seeing the Race grow into what it is today! Watching teenagers, parents, advocates, and sponsors all come together for this cause is truly inspirational. I look forward to working with the HDRF team to spread awareness and raise spirits!”
Saldana and Bickici will be joined by 24 student ambassadors from throughout the city, as they lead participants on a beautiful 5K (3.1) mile route along the Hudson River esplanade and public piers. Schools represented include: Brooklyn Technical, Chapin, Dalton, Fieldston, Lucy Beckam, Marymount New York, Newtown, Nightingale-Bamford, Phillips Exeter Academy, Riverdale Kingsbridge, Spence School, Stuyvesant, Trevor Day School, West Essex, Greenwich, and Dwight Englewood.
Some participants have chosen to run this event competitively, while others will opt to walk or stroll with their friends. No matter their age or speed, all racers are united in a common purpose – to support research into new treatments for depression and to fight the stigma still associated with seeking help.
The working committee of Teen Race Ambassadors includes: Sophia Blackwelder, Alva Carlston, Jolina Chow, Athena Climaco, Hannah Diker, Devin Donlon, Sam Firoozi, Grace Fisher, Lexi Goldberg, Leslie Hernandez, Tamara Honcharuk, Klarke Johnson, Christoper Keemss, Abigail Kidd, Caleb Lee, Angelina Lee, Angela Liu, Tiffany Ly, Riley Mountford, David Negrin, Angel Situ, Sienna Vadi, Alexandra Velazquez and Tiffany Wang. Participants include professional and first-time runners, teens, school teams families, and children. Strollers and dogs are welcome. To participate, please visit https://www.nycteen.raceofhopeseries.com/
First 550 registrants receive a commemorative t-shirt, race hat, race bib and huge finisher medal; and medals 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, May 18, 2025
Meeting Point: Pier 76, Hudson River Park at 408 12th Ave West, Manhattan, NY 10018
Time: Race starts at 10:00 AM ET
Cost: Student – $17.50/ Adult - $27.50
Strollers and Dogs welcome