Running in High Heels: Stiletto Sprint in Crocker Park on Aug. 10

Cleveland Junior League Fund Development Coordinator Stephanie Dorsey was brainstorming with her fund development group looking for something “fun, fresh and engaging.”

Hence an event, the Stiletto Sprint and Soiree on Aug. 10 at Crocker Park, that mixes running in high heels, a beer tasting and a Crocker Park fashion show. Tickets are $30 advance/$40 at the door.                       

“It’s a three-part event,” Dorsey said. “With the ticket you’ll get the Stiletto Sprint, beer tasting of eight different domestic and craft beers and a fall footwear and fashion show from Crocker Park stores.”

Winning isn’t the point, but getting there is half the fun. After the race, an awards ceremony will recognize achievements such as “Best Strut” and “Best Stilettos.”

And it all benefits the Junior League.

“We wanted to rebrand the Junior League,” she said, of the 100-year-old, 500-member strong Junior League of Cleveland, a volunteer organization that spans from Akron to Medina and all of Greater Cleveland.

“We did Jokers and Jackpots before and had some other ideas including a speaker series luncheon or a yoga morning,” Dorsey said of fundraising ideas.

Leaning more toward fresh and fun, the group came up with the Cleveland-area’s first Stiletto Sprint, a short foot race in heels for both women -- and men -- at Crocker Park. 

The event also includes an awards ceremony, a beer tasting and a fall clothing and footwear fashion show.

“Some of us were fans of Desperate Housewives, they were always running in heels,” Dorsey said.

Dorsey is getting support from her sister Nicole Gray, the League’s recording secretary, who is also from Avon Lake. They are second-generation Junior Leaguers. Their mother, Jackie Woods is a longtime member and the sisters grew up with the charitable organization.

The Junior League of Cleveland currently supports youth aging out of foster care.

“We partner with other organizations with the same goals, like the Adoption Network and Child Welfare of Cuyahoga County,” Dorsey said. “We help do programs they couldn’t normally do. Some are life skills, some are once they make the transition from foster care to on their own.”

The event, which will feature Cleveland radio personality Average Joe from Q104, draws heavily from Crocker Park businesses including Charles Scott Salon, who will provide hair and makeup for fashion show, White House/Black Market, Chico’s, the Buckle, Carriage Boutique and Lily Pulitzer.

Appropriately, DSW Warehouse shoes is sponsoring the event.

The first 250 people to register will receive a gift bag. Registration begins at 5 p.m. with a 6 p.m. short race. Beer will be served beginning at 5 p.m.

For more information or tickets, call 216-231-6300 ext. 2. Organizers recommend bringing a pair of flip-flops for after the race.