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Mount Vernon

North Charles Street

June 15, 2013

30. Pump It Up

Crowds cram Charles Street’s sidewalk in Mount Vernon, straining for a better vantage. The 2013 Baltimore Pride Parade just ended and now Segway-driving city police are clearing the street for annual High Heel race. At stake: a two-foot trophy, $1,100 in prizes, gift certificates, and Champagne.

“Payless,” says Greg Mazzeo, explaining where he found size-11 black heels. “I’m wearing ugly black socks so they’re snug and I can run.” Chuck Stanley jokes his pumps came from “Sal-vay”—aka the Salvation Army. “Painted them red to match my shorts.”

The race is short, Read Street to Eager Street, but tough—a dead uphill sprint, including some jostling elbows before the pack separates. Jay Cruz, who has won previously, accidentally gets smacked in the face early. However, his good friend, Steven Powell, in brown pumps beneath coordinated camouflage pants, breaks free and wins going away.

Shirtless, Powell cartwheels across the finish line.

“He’s been training for three months, in heels, on a treadmill,” Cruz says, begrudgingly, as Powell, a choreographer who ran high school track, gathers his awards.

The winner nods affirmatively, appearing slightly embarrassed.

“With ankle weights,” Cruz adds.

Nearby, Stanley, who takes a very respectable fourth, remains out of breath. “I’m going to be 43 years old,” he says. “I’m ready for a drink for Crissakes.”