DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) — The month of April serves as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and The House of Ruth in Dothan brings awareness in a special way.

Heels were the real deal on Foster Street Saturday morning as men of all ages put on their new shoes for the day and raced for the 8th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.

Some took off in a sprint and some are just trying to do better than they did last year

“I am feeling better than last year. I lost 80 pounds for this event and it still hurts,” one participant said.

The month of April brings awareness to sexual assault and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes provides a platform and a way to raise funds for support.

“Although it’s comical, it’s serious and it brings awareness to sexual assault in these surrounding 9 counties in which we serve,” House of Ruth Executive Director, Angela Underwood said. “We provide safe shelter and out-of-shelter services for victims and their children of sexual assault as well as domestic violence.”

Now not every participant was an expert in running in high heels, but there was a multitude of awards designed by art students at Carver 9th Grade Academy.

People got to race to finish or just show off their best outfits. All to raise money for The House and Ruth and awareness for sexual assault.

“It’s nice to see somebody else walk in high heels because sometimes it is hard,” Miss Troy University, Abigail Grantham said. “It just shows that it’s really hard for these girls that they go through these things like sexual assault.”