MEXICO: Mexican women ignite streets wearing heels

Some 500 Mexican women braved broken heels, sprained ankles and cold weather in Mexico City's first "High-heel" one-hundred metre race in Mexico City. It was survival of the fittest and most stylish in Mexico City as women put on their sturdiest heels and braved bitterly cold weather on Sunday (October 28) to compete in a high-heeled shoe race. The hundred-metre race took place on a street outside an exclusive store called Palacio de Hierro with young ladies competing for a shopping voucher worth 100,000 pesos (about 9,000 U.S. dollars) to spend in the previously mentioned store. Some three ambulances and 15 paramedics were on call to deal with injuries. Some eight women fell over but no severe injuries were reported. The run is sponsored by women's magazine Fernanda. The editor became inspired by similar races she had seen in Europe, organized by Glamour magazine. While it may look like an easy feat, the competition's regulators insisted all participants' heels had to have a required minimum of seven centimeters (2.75 inches) high. Fernanda magazine editor, Fernanda Familiar, said that high-heels are an obstacle for women and this race proves that women are able to confront anything in life. "For me, high-heels are an obstacle in the daily life of women. This race shows that women are able to overcome any obstacle. That is the idea. To run to feel that we are able to confront anything in life." Familiar enlisted the support from Asdeporte, a Mexican company, which specializes in organizing and promoting sporting events around the country. Asdeporte took care of the logistics of the event, providing photofinish cameras at the finish line, the stage and music. Several other companies also sponsored the event. "We asked some competitors 'will you really be able to run 100 metres' and they said of course without problems and we are impressed. We have seen competitors who have run in 17 seconds flat and men can't even run in that time wearing trainers," said Asdeporte Director, David Alvarez. With a time of 14.74 seconds, Mexico City resident, Yamile Alaluf, beat out 500 high-heeled competitors to take the first prize in Mexico's first "High-heel Race," in posh neighborhood Polanco. Alaluf, who is 31-years-old, is currently the 1,500 metre national champion. She has been running professionally since 2001. She also works for Procter and Gamble and was delighted to be this year's winner. "It's an honour for me to be the winner of the first edition of the high-heel race, because I think this race will become a tradition in Mexico, that it will become very popular and surely someone next year will break my record. But I feel happy to have the privilege right now." Valeria Gomez clinched second place with a time of 14.77 seconds and third place was won by Arely Ovalle with a time of 15.66 seconds. The 12 finalists were given 5,000 pesos each (nearly 500 USD) and the best hairstyle, best smile and most elegant were also rewarded. The event also helped a good case, donating 50,000 (approximately 4,600 USD) to APAC, which helps children and adults who suffer from brain paralysis.

ITN Source | November 5, 2007

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