Runners, take your mark: It’s time for Stiletto Run
Stiletto Run raises funds to fight ovarian cancer
They will likely be heeled but not necessarily well-heeled for the second annual Stiletto Run, taking place Wednesday night along Elmwood Avenue.
Feet hurting already? Well, feel relieved that all types of shoes are welcome, and you don’t even have to run.
“I use the word ‘run’ loosely. People can come and walk if they want,” said Sue Marfino, owner of ShoeFly, which is hosting the .5K run (.31 miles) event, which benefits the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.
Last year’s run attracted 80 participants and raised about $2,000. For this year’s expanded event, Celebrate Buffalo –makers of “I Love Buffalo” trademark merchandise –has joined in as co-host. The charity run is likely to attract up to 300 walkers/runners.
“We capped it at 300, and I think we will come pretty close to that number,” Marfino said.
But here’s the clincher: In order to be eligible for placing prizes — first, second and third — runners must be registered and complete the race in a shoe with a minimum heel height of 3 inches.
Kristina Mammel ran last year and plans to do the same Wednesday. She went for high heels — and a fast pace.
“I wore a true pair of stilettos — strappy sandals with 4- inch heels, very steep — with a pair of shorts, tank top and sports bra. I ran as fast as I could — in 4-inch heels,” said Mammel, a manager of Elmwood Specs and a student.
Mammel, a cross country runner, said there were some impressive track team runners out there, but walkers as well.
Her advice: “Set your own pace, don’t overextend yourself, be careful and enjoy; it’s for an excellent cause.”
Marfino said she selected the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance because “I wanted it to be a women’s organization because it’s primarily a women’s event.”
But not entirely. Men run, too. We’re talking guys in black sling-backs.
Last year, “outfits varied from dresses with high heels to workout clothes with high heels,” Marfino said.
Stiletto sprints and runs of various distances have been held elsewhere in the world, including New York and Berlin.
Last September in Australia, 265 racers broke the world record for running 80 meters in 3- inch stiletto heels around a special course in Sydney. They beat the record of 150 runners, set in Holland.
The details: The Stiletto Run is set for 7 p. m. Wednesday at the corner of Elmwood Avenue and Bidwell Parkway, with registration starting at 5:30. The race continues down to ShoeFly at 801 Elmwood Ave.
Preregistration for the race is $25, or $30 the day of the event. Register online, using a credit card, at www.stilettorun.org . To pay the fee by cash or check, stop by ShoeFly. Donations also are accepted through the Web site. An after-race party is planned from 7 to 9 on Elmwood between Lafayette and Auburn. Several stores and restaurants in the area will remain open and donate a percentage of their sales to the cause.
According to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance’s Web site, www.ovariancancer.org : “Each year, approximately 20,000 American women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and about 15,000 women die of the disease.” Helping those in need
In Clarence Center, another shoe boutique is busy doing more than selling shoes.
Get Heeled owner Deborah Tangelder has partnered with a new local program called “Wear’n Share” to establish a collection center in the basement of her store at 6000 Goodrich Road.
Wear’n Share was conceived by Clarence Center resident Kerri Howell, mother of a 5- and 8-year-old. Sometime ago while reading a national parenting magazine, she came across an article about children who could not attend school because they didn’t have shoes.
She decided to reach out to local families-in-need.
With the downturn in the economy, the timing is right. “Every time you open the paper, you read about struggling families, and I couldn’t wait any longer. Besides, summer is the time when people are cleaning out closets,” she said.
Wear’n Share is another way for people to donate, in addition to dropping off bags at traditional donation centers and participating in clothing and book drives at schools, churches, etc.
Thursday was the kickoff date, when organizers began accepting donations of new and used children’s clothing, shoes and books for distribution to those in need.
Howell and Tangelder say they are seeking volunteers to help. Call Howell at 225-3539. Visit www.GetHeeled.com for more information.
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