Hargrove’s experience with marathons runs deep—he’s completed over 300 of them, often for charity. But this time, he faced a different challenge: attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon in high heels by a male. “I made a promise to try this record to support those who have suffered from domestic violence,” he shared with TODAY.com.

His initial attempts at racing in heels were marred by broken footwear. In one race, Hargrove’s heel snapped after just 6 kilometers, and in another, it gave out at 21 kilometers. But with the help of friends who welded the heels to the soles of his shoes, Hargrove was ready for the Chicago Marathon.

Hargrove didn’t need any special physical preparation for the challenge, but mentally, it was tough. “I knew I could finish the marathon because I’ve done so many, but the real question was whether the heels would hold up,” he explained. He started the race strong, completing the first 5 kilometers in 27 minutes and hitting the 10-kilometer mark in 58 minutes, well on pace to beat the record.

However, by kilometer 25, the discomfort became too much. Blisters formed on the soles of his feet, and the pain from running in heels began to take its toll. He had to stop and get his feet bandaged before continuing. Despite the pain, Hargrove pushed forward, reminding himself of the cause he was running for. "The blisters and pain are nothing compared to what women and children affected by domestic violence endure every day," he said.

As he ran, people along the course shared their own stories of domestic abuse, further fueling Hargrove’s determination. One woman told him she had survived 17 years of abuse. “Hearing those stories made me realize the impact of what I was doing,” Hargrove said. “Some women even said this act made them rethink their view on men.”

After 7 hours and 5 minutes, Hargrove crossed the finish line. His feet were blistered, his skin was peeling, and he was bleeding. After receiving medical attention at the emergency services tent, he reflected on the journey and the support he had received from friends and strangers alike. For Hargrove, the pain was worth it, knowing that his run helped bring attention to an important cause.

Marathon Runner Endures 26.2 Miles in Red Heels to Raise Awareness for Domestic Violence

Canadian Curtis Hargrove completed the 2024 Chicago Marathon in 3-inch heels to support women and children affected by domestic abuse. Although his record-breaking attempt was physically grueling, Hargrove's determination to raise awareness for survivors of domestic violence pushed him through to the finish line.