'Heel' Thyself - Heel-A-Thon with Regis and Kelly

Who ever said, “Age isn’t anything but a number” must have met Ethelyn. This week my Sassy-Sister in Stilettos Sprinted, in the Live with Regis and Kelly "High Heel-a-thon" in Central Park.

Let me give you a bit of background. The Regis and Kelly show partnered with Dr. Scholls to provide the winner of the race $25,000 grand prize. The best part of this is the fact that they both partnered and donated money to the March of Dimes whose known for their tireless dedication to providing healthy pregnancies and babies to women everywhere. A GREAT organization. The rules for the race were pretty strict and believe me this race wasn’t for the faint of heart; the heels had to be at least 3″ high, no more than 3″ in circumference, and no wedges at all. I will say that as an observer I did see some women who definitely cheated. You know shoes that have a little extra rubber in the heels and soles? Yes even for a good cause there were cheaters in the bunch!

Let’s take a second and talk about the shoes – sparkly, strappy, gold, platform, and stiletto gladiator sandals and of course the classic, pointy-toed pumps. I dare to say that there was a wide assortment for your running and viewing pleasure. With more than 500 participants (including 11 men – who had their own race…see not just women love a good heel) from over 40 states, these ladies were SERIOUS!!!

The day of the race Kelly was as nervous as Regis was handsome in pink. Mark Consuelos Kellys’ husband – WOW!!! Cameron Mathison of All My Children and Dancing With The Stars fame - YUMMY!!! Honestly these 3 have wonderful personalities, and are better looking in person. They all took time out to greet their fans, take pictures, no attitude - way cool. Maybe some other celebrities should take note (but I digress). I’ve never seen Kelly so nervous and yet so amazingly charming and warm to all of the participants. Her heels – a sky-high 4.5 inches. Their Host chat the next day was too funny!!!

So on to the real STAR….

Ethlyn is a very good friend, who will tell you the key to a long life is a cocktail every night. Let me also warn you she can play a mean game of poker, so don’t let the sweet face fool ya. She was a dancer in her younger years and still has the killer legs to prove it. With thanks to a friend of hers, she has more pairs of Manolo Balhniks’ than Carrie has in her Sex and the City closet. The thing is she wears them or at least a pair of heels everyday. I don’t think I have ever seen her in flats – ever. Oh did I mention she’s 84 years young???

She looked more like a woman about to go to the office in her white silk top and 3-inch pointy-toe black stilettos; not one about to run a race. I believe she said that these are her ‘dancing shoes, so she knew they would be comfortable. (Note: never wear your new shoes when you’re going to run a 150-yard dash). Just by being there looking completely chic she won the respect and admiration of every participant – most of them a 60 years her junior.


Ethlyn ran a very respectable 1:15, 150-yard race and showed the spirit of sportsmanship and pure class. Kelly mentions her in the commentary they had the next day, which was hysterical. Of course Ethlyn was contacted by all of the major newspapers in NYC and was on several of the nightly news programs. I don’t know if she now has a ‘shoe contract’, but if the right designer calls, I’m sure she will fit you in her busy schedule.

What I learned from her is you can be active at any age, and look like a lady doing it. You should have fun, because it’s not necessarily about winning. Finally if all else fails run your race, with a smile on your face and step lively to the nearest hotel bar for a martini-3 olives.

Congratulations Ethlyn. You’re a winner in my book!