Dress for Success River Cities held the third Annual Power Walk, 5K Run and Stiletto Stroll Saturday morning at Ritter Park.

The Power Walk and 5K Run began at 8 a.m. in near freezing temperatures. The 41 participants either walked or ran the 3.1 miles within the span of an hour. Conner Flynn, 18, of Proctorville, Ohio was the first to finish with a time of 18 minutes and 52 seconds. Flynn received the Overall Male Award. Petra Choutka, 37, of Chesapeake, Ohio finished sixth overall with a time of 20 minutes and 54 seconds and received the Overall Female Award.

Once the Power Walk and 5K Run were complete and participants were given time to relax and rehydrate, the Stiletto Stroll began. Kicking off at 9:30 a.m., the Stiletto Stroll required male volunteers to wear a pair of women’s heels and race 50 yards. Participants of the Stiletto Stroll included Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, Huntington Fire Chief Carl Eastham, Marshall University’s SGA President Duncan Waugaman and many more locals.

“I don’t know how women do it. I had them on for five minutes and my feet are killing me,” Williams said.

Before the Stiletto Stroll began, many participants took pictures in their heels while holding a sign provided by Dress for Success volunteers and staff that read “#RealMenWearHeels.”

The event was put forth to support Dress for Success’ mission statement. According to Dress for Success board member Tomi Weber the organization provides clothing and other skills to women who are trying to break into the work force or trying to get back into the work force where women may feel they are at a disadvantage.

Weber said the confidence women show after being fitted at the organization is one of the many reasons why she agreed to be a part of Dress for Success.

The non-profit organization accepts clients only upon referral from other agencies, such as Branches Domestic Violence Shelter, the City Mission and Career Services at Marshall University.

Women are fitted with appropriate work attire, assisted in creating a resume and rehearsed in the interviewing process.

Alpha Sigma Phi community service director Kyle Rheude participated in the 5K Run, finishing in 10th place.

“I personally really wanted to run,” Rheude said. “I felt like this was a cause that really helps out the community.”

Rheude and other Alpha Sigma Phi members volunteered at the event. “Our fraternity loves to partake in community service and give back to the community so when this opportunity was brought up to us we really wanted to help volunteer and help out,” Rheude said.

Dress for Success accepts volunteers at all levels. Information about volunteering can be found on the Dress for Success River Cities website.

Taylor Poling can be contacted by [email protected].