As a fashion statement, Barrhead’s “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” challenge probably lacked a certain elegance.
Not that anyone should be surprised by Friday’s spectacle at the IGA parking lot. When you are a guy in women’s heels, trying to negotiate an obstacle course at high speed, the ground must seem a long way away and rather shaky.
In fact. it’s hard not to walk like a robotic spider, each leg swinging in wide arcs, or resemble a hopping bunny.
Yet on the plus side, there were no tumbles and grumbles, albeit plenty of stumbles and one or two fumbles.
And most of all … an amazing $9,000 was raised for prevention of family violence programs.
Organizers were thrilled – maybe even relieved – by the turn-out. After all, it is one thing to sign up, quite another to show up.
Do you really want to be on YouTube in women’s shoes? Actually, many men don’t mind if the motivation and weather are right.
Under splendidly sunny skies, 25 guys gathered near the starting blocks, ready to send men’s fashion soaring to new heights – by about two to four inches, I would say, depending on heel size.
Among them was Barrhead County councillor Bill Lane; his entrance into the cordoned off competition zone proved the most theatrical. Clad in a black dress and matching stockings, he looked like everyone’s favourite auntie.
Oh yes, he also wore a necklace and bracelet, clutched a red handbag … and had dyed his hair and moustache lime green and blue. All in the interest of attracting as much sponsorship money as possible.
“I would like to thank everyone who sponsored me,” he said as he donned red shoes with two inch heels.
Later he was thankful for that dress. It gave him much-needed ventilation after his workout.
Also present were two members of the town’s super-sized fraternity – Bill Knudsen and RCMP officer Bob Dodds, who both hover around the 6ft 7 in.-6 ft. 8 in. mark.
Finding shoes large enough to fit had been the initial challenge. Walking in them was something else.
The competitors were split into five five-man heats and asked to take on several challenges, including loading items into a shopping cart, negotiating a slalom of cones, and changing the diaper on a mannequin baby.
With MC Steve Lyster giving a running commentary for spectators ringing the parking area, the action boiled down to a championship heat involving Adam Lamers, Knudsen, Daniel Lefebvre, Randy Paupst and Shane O’Neill.
And it was TD Bank’s O’Neill who took top honours and was presented with a special plaque.
Meanwhile, his rivals were left nursing sore insteps, heels and leg muscles.
“It was brutal,” was Town councillor Don Smith’s verdict.
Swapping notes, Knudsen and Dodds spoke of tight calves and a tendency during the race to lean forward.
“I will have to do some practise for next year,” laughed Knudsen.
“I stumbled a lot, but didn’t fall,” Dodds said. “I don’t think anyone fell.”
Twenty-five guys, and not a single fall. Not a twisted ankle. And a whole lot of money for a great cause.
Who would have thought it was Friday the 13th?
