The Big Rapids com­mu­nity slipped into their stilet­tos and lined up along Michigan Avenue for the sec­ond annual Stiletto Sprint.

Beginning Oct.17 at 6:00 p.m., the race began near Chemical Bank with rac­ers sprint­ing toward Maple Street.

Unlike last year’s Stiletto Sprint, this year’s event involved three sep­a­rate races includ­ing a men’s race, a women’s race and an “any­thing goes” race. Participants were required to wear a min­i­mum 3-inch stiletto heel to qual­ify for the men and women’s race.

The event began with the “any­thing goes” race, where women from all ages were allowed to par­tic­i­pate. The “any­thing goes” race did not require par­tic­i­pates to wear a min­i­mum heel height allow­ing 11-year old Brook Jacobs to win the race. Jacobs sprinted down Michigan Avenue eas­ily claim­ing first place. Jacobs was awarded a pink sash and bracelet.

The “any­thing goes” race was shortly fol­lowed by the men’s race. Big Rapids res­i­dent Darin Cebulla said he decided to take off work to be a part of the event. Dressed in a blonde wig, tutu skirt and pink leo­tard wear­ing the num­ber 50, Cebulla won the men’s race beat­ing out three other racers.

“It always feels good to win, espe­cially when the money goes towards a great cause,” Cebulla said.

Winning a tro­phy from Greens Sporting Goods and $100 from Steve Miller Edward Jones Financial, Cebulla donated his entire cash win­nings back to the Susan P. Wheatlake Cancer and Wellness Center fund.

Followed by the men’s race, the women’s race included over two-dozen women from FSU orga­ni­za­tions such as You Beautiful Black Women (YBBW) and local busi­ness own­ers rac­ing for the title of this year’s Stiletto Sprint champion.

Ferris State University junior and Women in Technology mem­ber Lindsey Orkisz won the women’s race. Orkisz was also awarded a tro­phy and $100.

Orkisz said she got involved in the com­pe­ti­tion because of the sup­port the Stiletto Sprint received from her organization.

“I was pretty excited. I’m very big into com­pe­ti­tion and it helps to know it was for a good cause,” Orkisz said.

The event con­cluded with men’s race par­tic­i­pate Frank Dye receiv­ing the best-dressed award. Dye wore a pink wig, pink glasses, ruf­fled skirt and stilettos.

The Stiletto Sprint was part of the Susan P. Wheatlake Cancer and Wellness Center’s Paint Big Rapids Pink project.

The next Paint Big Rapids Pink event will be the Wheatlake Center Open House from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 705 Oak Street.