For a 26.2-mile marathon, there’s one thing you should never compromise on: a decent pair of running shoes. Unless, of course, you’re Curtis Hargrove, the audacious runner who recently donned a pair of red pumps with 4-inch heels for the 42 km+ Chicago Marathon 2024 run. It’s not that he didn’t realize he was clicking his way into a landmine, but he was running for a cause that meant so much to him!

Apart from his goal to beat the record time of 5:13.27 set by the world’s fastest male runner in heels, Hargrove was running for the Stepping Stone Crisis Society, an NGO that supports victims of domestic violence. Completing the race gave these individuals a chance to start anew. Unfortunately, Hargrove’s results at the Chicago Marathon weren’t ideal, but that isn’t stopping him from taking on another challenge.

Chicago Marathon runner to pair with billionaire’s luxury brand

Taking to his Instagram, Chris Hargrove added a video post, with an image of the SNEEX hybrid shoe in the background. He then says, “A lot of you have been asking if I would ever attempt the Guinness world record in high heels again and my answer is absolutely yes, If I had a pair of these!”

The Chicago Marathon runner then describes the unique product saying, “I now know what these are! SNEEX! Sara Blakely, she is the founder of Spanx and these – hybrid luxury high heels.” Hargrove then exclaimed that he’d been looking in all the wrong places recently. And the result showed on the Chicago Marathon day. He completed his stint wide off the mark, in 7:05.11 hours and ended up getting severe blisters on his feet. In fact, he had to halt his run after 25 kms to get his feet taped.

He pointed out how most men’s heels are custom made by brands and this led Hargrove to extend his arm out for a collaboration. He said, “I saw that these SNEEX are created in Italy and it takes about 4 hours. So Sara Blakely if this gets to you, I would definitely attempt this again to raise more money for women and children who suffer from domestic violence. I hope we can collab cause I definitely want to get back out there, my mama didn’t raise no quitter.”

The power of social media you say? The video reached the founder of SNEEX, a brand that took over the market in August this year, as Sara Blakely added a comment on Hargrove’s video, “Curtis!!!! You’re an inspiration. What size are you? 😊” Who replied back with, “ 9.5 😊❤️” Thus, a potential customized male SNEEX made of napa leather and suede may be in the offing for the Chicago Marathon runner, to add a few inches to his charity dreams!

Curtis Hargrove’s marathon-driving force

Ever since he was 15, Curtis Hargrove has been a familiar face in marathons. It may seem like he throws caution to the wind, but it’s his passion that takes him places—whether it’s running 34 marathons in 34 consecutive days to raise $50,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation or walking 200 miles from Cold Lake to Edmonton in heels to raise awareness for domestic violence.

With an experience of over 310+ Marathons in his pocket, the Chicago Marathon challenge did not seem insurmountable to him. But, he confessed having to prepare mentally for it. Even when the going got tough in the ace, he reminded himself, “The blisters and the pain that I was going through is nothing compared to what these women and children go through every day.”

Truly, some heroes wear capes, but some wear heels. What do you think about this ambitious attempt? Let us know below.