Florence woman standing high on ‘Regis and Kelly’

A Florence woman is taking her love of high heels to extremes Wednesday by participating in the “LIVE with Regis and Kelly High Heel-A-Thon” in New York City.

Debi Ratliffe, owner of a public relations company in Florence, will take part in the marathon, which benefits the March of Dimes, Wednesday in Central Park during a taping of the talk show, which airs at 9 a.m. Wednesday on Fox.

“I’m 42, and I like to try new things,” Ratliffe said.

Proceeds from the event will go to the March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to improving the health of babies, reducing birth defects, prematurity and low birth weights.

Ripa, one of the hosts of the show, has said working mothers such as herself often have no problem running in heels because they are used to racing around while dressed for work.

Jackie Apel, director of communications for the South Carolina chapter of the March of Dimes, said the exposure the group has gained from the event has been valuable in terms of making sure their message is heard.

“We’re very excited that someone from South Carolina is participating in a national event,” she said. “Hopefully, she (Ratliffe) does well and can raise some awareness in (New York City) about what the March of Dimes is doing in South Carolina.”

Apel said the event will present the March of Dimes, and the winner of the 150-yard marathon, with a check for $25,000.

The proceeds raised from the entrance fee of $15 also will go to benefit the organization. Ripa has said that if she wins the race, she will donate the prize money to the organization in addition to the funds it already is scheduled to receive from the marathon.

“It’s really, quite literally, a high-profile way to show that the March of Dimes touches the lives of families and babies across the nation,” Apel said. “We’re working to give every baby a healthy start.”

Competitors will line up this morning to compete for placement in the 150-yard dash with a series of 50-yard sprints. The contestants with the fastest times will place closer to the front in the 150-yard dash, which will take place after the sprints are completed.

Ratliffe said she has been preparing for the event since she was notified June 27 she was eligible to participate.

“When I found this out, I went out and ran two miles (in sneakers) with no problem,” she said. “But running that 150 yards at full speed, though, that’s crazy.”

Ratliffe said she is taking her one pair of Manolo Blahniks to run in, hoping the high-priced shoes will bring her good luck in the race. The shoes must meet the three-inch minimum height requirements for the race for her to compete in them.

“I’ve been running in the Manolo Blahniks and they’ve been very sturdy,” she said. “I can run the 50-yard dash fast in these heels.”

But she said the 150-yard sprint is much harder to complete in the pricey shoes.

To win the race, a contestant must be the first to complete the 150 yards with at least one heel still intact.