Andres Rodriguez

Georgette Washington, better known as Jeremy Raush, poses with spectators Tuesday after the 17th Street High Heel Race. In its 27th year, the race draws politicians and hundreds of spectators to the Dupont Circle neighborhood.

WASHINGTON – They came in high heels, big dresses and even bigger hair.

http://youtu.be/bNaY_5oMOVA

Hundreds of racers in drag or wild costumes sprinted and strutted down 17th Street NW Oct. 29 in the 27th annual High Heel Race. They paraded from P Street to R Street NW dressed as Miley Cyrus, Marylyn Monroe, Madonna and other original creations, stopping for photos and waving to the crowd.

William Dennis, otherwise known as Inertia, won the race for the second year in a row with a time of 43 seconds.

The race, which drew hundreds of spectators, named Mayor Vincent Gray as grand marshal, along with Birdie LaCage and Banaka.

Pierre Nicholson, 48, who goes by the name of Cotton Candy, was happily posing for photos with the crowds after the race. He said he loves being a part of the event.

“I came out to the race tonight because you see so many people from so many places,” Nicholson, a D.C. resident who works for a telecom company, said. “It’s great. I love the fun, the people taking pictures. It’s light and airy and it’s a D.C. thing.”

One of the racers, who preferred to be identified solely as Rocket Chick, has been running the race for six years. He said he enjoys the race because he “gets to work it and people love it.”

The race takes place the Tuesday before Halloween and is organized by the Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets.

Reach reporter Andrés Rodríguez at [email protected] or 202-326 9871 and Zahra Farah at [email protected] or 202-326-9868.