'A lot of blisters': Edmonton marathon runner to complete course in stiletto heels
At least one runner at the Edmonton marathon on Sunday will be strapping on a pair of stilettos at the starting line.
Curtis Hargrove, a seasoned marathon runner, will be taking on the 42-kilometre race in high heels to raise money and awareness for people experiencing domestic abuse.
The money will be donated to the Stepping Stones Crisis Society (SSCS) in Cold Lake, where it will be used to help finish a new shelter and transitional housing project for women and children experiencing domestic abuse.
"This is really important to me. This is really important to our community, and I just want to do my best and support them," Hargrove said.
Cindy Yang, of SSCS, said Hargrove has always been a "big philanthropist and a big dreamer" and is excited to cheer him on.
"I can't even imagine trying to do a full marathon, so it is truly remarkable what Curtis is doing," Yang said. "We're really grateful that he's taking the time and the attention and helping us raise awareness to our cause."
Yang said domestic violence is on the rise, and due to limited space, 332 women and children were unable to access the shelter over the last year.
"Due to lack of shelter beds available in the last five years or so, our turnaways had increased over 350 per cent," Yang said, adding the new building will more than double the number of beds available.
"In addition to that, we're going to have a little bit more of an expansive community-facing hub so we can focus a little bit more on the wrap-around services."
To beat the current world record, Hargrove will have to finish the race in less than five hours, 13 minutes and 27 seconds. He said he'll have to keep up a "nice, steady jog" to clinch the record – but he's hopeful.
"I've been an athlete my whole life. I've got some pretty good stability, and I'm hoping to just (put) one foot in front of the other," he said.
It's not the first time Hargrove has donned the red stilettos he will be running in. In 2012, he walked 300 kilometres in the shoes in support of the YWCA.
"It was pretty crazy. I got a lot of blisters and cuts on my feet that I never got in my life running," Hargrove said.
He recently donned the pair again to break them back in. While they're not ideal marathon footwear, Hargrove said the biggest challenge in a race is always mental.
"If you don't think you can do it, you're not going to be able to do it," he said. "If you can defeat your own mind, and you can go out there and push yourself to your limits, anything's possible."
Anyone who wants to donate can find more information on Hargrove's Facebook page or the SSCS website.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING 2 dead, third in critical condition after attack in Kingston, Ont., suspect arrested
Two people are dead and a third suffered life-threatening injuries following an attack at an encampment in Kingston, Ont. Thursday. A suspect has been arrested following a multi-hour standoff.
TIFF pauses screenings of documentary about Russian soldiers due to 'significant threats'
The Toronto Film Festival says it has been forced to pause the screenings of a documentary about Russian soldiers this weekend, citing 'significant threats to festival operations and public safety.'
Trump rules out another debate against Harris as her campaign announces US$47M haul in hours afterward
Donald Trump on Thursday ruled out another presidential debate against Kamala Harris as her campaign announced a massive fundraising haul in the hours after the two candidates met on stage.
'Keep your bags packed': Consul general grilled over $9M NYC condo purchase
After weeks of pressure, Canada's consul general Tom Clark is testifying on Thursday before a House of Commons committee about the purchase of his new official residence in New York that generated a lot of political attention over the summer.
This Italian lawyer says he thought he was buying a regular print of Churchill, not the 'mythical' stolen portrait
When Nicola Cassinelli, Italian lawyer and occasional art collector, bid on a portrait of the late U.K. prime minister Winston Churchill, he says, he didn't know it would land him in the centre of an international criminal investigation.
Georgia judge dismisses two criminal counts against Trump, court filing shows
A Georgia judge on Thursday dismissed two criminal counts in the U.S. state's 2020 election interference case against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and one other count against allies of the former president.
Family of Sikh man speaks out against Toronto-area hospital after beard shaved
The family of a Sikh man from Brampton is seeking an apology, an explanation, and a promise to do better from the local hospital network after they say the facial hair of their loved one was removed without their consent.
NEW N.B. premier’s asylum seeker comments spark controversy
Claims from New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs that Ottawa wants to force the province to take in 4,600 asylum seekers are "largely fictitious," says federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
Ottawa resident who tested positive for mosquito-borne virus dies, public health says
An Ottawa resident who died of a viral encephalitis this summer tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus eastern equine encephalitis (EEEV), the first human case of the virus in Ottawa.