A high-heeled sprint: First Annual Stiletto Challenge

I must've missed High Heel Day in high school.

There must've been a day - perhaps the tail end of junior year - when a Certified Stiletto Instructor took over health class and the lady students spent the hour parading in awkward, pointy-toed shoes. They were probably taught to walk on the balls of their feet rather than their heels - and they certainly watched some dull documentary on the nuances of heeled shoes and left class with a complementary handout listing the proper steps to mastering the walk.

I must've missed it. It was probably that day Joni and I ditched school to coffee binge at Denny's and steal bras from Kohl's Department Store.

In any event, walking in high high heels is a skill I never mastered. I'm not very good at stealing things either. But I manage to get by, not doing either.

But some women have not only triumphed in the tall footwear - they're willing to race in them.

Last Thursday was the First Annual Stiletto Challenge at The Landing at Pine Point in Scarborough. Two dozen or so women lined up on the asphalt outside, posing in heels at the starting line. Quite a few more spectated along the sidelines, rooting on friends and maybe placing mental bets on who might tumble (not me, of course).

[Cara Slifka photos]

"Go!" was called and the women sprinted - some so easily it seemed they might run in stilettos on weekends as part of a special "High Heel Marathon" training program.

A couple of women did lose their footing, causing one to trip up on her shoe and fall. But some quick first aid and ice pack and she was no doubt back in tall heels in short order.

Lisa Nappi came away the winner - having seen her in action at "boot camp" fitness sessions, it was no surprise her speed and strength would translate in trendy pumps. The secret, she said, was to wear heels with ankle straps.

She walked away with the champion title and a load of freebies for acupuncture, hair treatments, Front Room gift certificates and pedicures. Not a bad takeaway for a 100-yard-dash on a sunny spring evening.

Proceeds from the event benefited Breast Cancer & Lift Up Ellie (www.liftupellie.com).

For a full photographic reprise, check out Cara Slifka's Stiletto Challenge photos.