By Whitney Vickers

[email protected]

FAIRBORN — The men will doll themselves up in a pair of high heels, while the women will lace up some combat boots Sunday, Sept. 18 all to raise funds for a cause during the city’s 4th Annual Heels for Heroes Race.

The race, held in conjunction with the 26th Annual Fall Cruise In and Car Show, will raise funds to be split between the Fairborn Wee Hawks Football Program and Operation Fairborn Cares. Interested individuals can run on their own against others dawning the same foot apparel, or as a four-person team during a relay race. Awards will be given for a variety of categories.

Fairborn Council was named the slowest team during last year’s Heels for Heroes race, and the Mayor’s Beautification Committee was awarded for having the best costumes.

Meanwhile, the Fairborn Senior Center scooped up all possible first place prizes during last year’s event: Its team of racers took the gold as the fastest runners, Activities Coordinator John Errett took the title as the being the fastest male runner and Volunteer Leann Williams, who has served the Fairborn Senior Center since she was 5-years-old, was awarded as the fastest female runner.

The Fairborn Senior Center’s team of racers, Errett and Williams will defend their titles once again this year and are calling all challengers to lace up some boots and slip on some heels for a race around the block.

Registration, costing $35 for an individual and $100 for a four-person team, takes place 12:30 p.m. Sunday beneath a tent found at the circle on Central Avenue. The heels and boots will hit the pavement beginning 1 p.m. Participants will run, or stumble, around one block within the same area.

Operation Fairborn Cares aims to financially assist any Greene County veteran who has served since 9/11. Its funds assists with day to day needs, such as car repairs, rent, food, motel rentals, phone and/or utility bills and furniture storage. Fairborn Council Member and Operation Fairborn Cares Founder and Chair Marilyn McCauley said in a previous interview that Operation Fairborn Cares works closely with the Greene County Veterans Services, the Dayton VA, churches and other groups, which helps to spread the organization’s message via word-of-mouth.

McCauley said the organization is operating with additional funds as of late, enabling it to help more individuals. It received a donation from 100 Hundred Women Making a Difference in Greene County earlier this year.

Individuals interested in participating in the Heels for Heroes race should contact McCauley at [email protected] or 937-305-7540.

File photos Council member Terry Burkert and his wife at last year’s Heels for Heroes Race. Burkert has already said in a previous council meeting that he plans to participate in the race again this year.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/09/web1_heels18.jpgFile photos Council member Terry Burkert and his wife at last year’s Heels for Heroes Race. Burkert has already said in a previous council meeting that he plans to participate in the race again this year.

Fairborn Council Member Terry Burkert racing head-t0-head with Fairborn Senior Center Activities Coordinator John Errett during last year’s Heels for Heroes race. Errett would ultimately take home the gold as the fastest male runner and will defend that title again this year.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/09/web1_heels7.jpgFairborn Council Member Terry Burkert racing head-t0-head with Fairborn Senior Center Activities Coordinator John Errett during last year’s Heels for Heroes race. Errett would ultimately take home the gold as the fastest male runner and will defend that title again this year.

Men run in heels while women run in combat boots during the Heels for Heroes Race. It will raise funds for Operation Fairborn Cares and the Fairborn Wee Hawks Football program.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/09/web1_heels5.jpgMen run in heels while women run in combat boots during the Heels for Heroes Race. It will raise funds for Operation Fairborn Cares and the Fairborn Wee Hawks Football program.

Men run in heels while women run in combat boots during the Heels for Heroes Race. It will raise funds for Operation Fairborn Cares and the Fairborn Wee Hawks Football program.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/09/web1_heels8.jpgMen run in heels while women run in combat boots during the Heels for Heroes Race. It will raise funds for Operation Fairborn Cares and the Fairborn Wee Hawks Football program.

Ellen Slone-Farthing, executive director of the Fairborn Senior Center, lacing up for last year’s race.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/09/web1_heels9.jpgEllen Slone-Farthing, executive director of the Fairborn Senior Center, lacing up for last year’s race.

Men run in heels while women run in combat boots during the Heels for Heroes Race. It will raise funds for Operation Fairborn Cares and the Fairborn Wee Hawks Football program.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/09/web1_heels10.jpgMen run in heels while women run in combat boots during the Heels for Heroes Race. It will raise funds for Operation Fairborn Cares and the Fairborn Wee Hawks Football program.

Men run in heels while women run in combat boots during the Heels for Heroes Race. It will raise funds for Operation Fairborn Cares and the Fairborn Wee Hawks Football program.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/09/web1_heels12.jpgMen run in heels while women run in combat boots during the Heels for Heroes Race. It will raise funds for Operation Fairborn Cares and the Fairborn Wee Hawks Football program.

Paul Newman Jr., who was recently named the Greene County economic development director, resting in stalettos just before last year’s Heels for Heroes race.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/09/web1_heeeeeels16.jpgPaul Newman Jr., who was recently named the Greene County economic development director, resting in stalettos just before last year’s Heels for Heroes race.