Olympic gold medallist Stacy Dragila has inspired women of all ages with her remarkable achievements in the difficult sport of pole vaulting, and now Dragila will be at the Fleet Feet Women's 5K, 10K & Festival on Sunday, July 30 at 8 a.m. to help kick off the race.

Dragila is the latest in a line of athletes that Fleet Feet Sports has hosted at its events. Last year, participants in the Fleet Feet Women's 5K, 10K & Festival had the chance to meet famed soccer star Brandi Chastain. This year, Chicago's only women's race welcomes Stacy Dragila, an athlete who has shattered national and world records in the pole vault, a sport in which women were not even allowed to compete at the Olympics in until the Sydney games in 2000.

Stacy Dragila was the first-ever Olympic gold medal winner in the women's pole vault in 2000 and is the world record holder in both indoor and outdoor events.

Dragila's pole vaulting accomplishments are unsurpassed. From January to July of 2000, she set or equaled the world and American records six times. She recently won her sixth straight US indoor title and broke the world record four times in a three-week span.

Stacy Dragila is an example to women and girls that a woman can succeed in any sport, profession, or activity when given the opportunity to shine.

"We are very proud to have Nike Athlete Stacy Dragila here to empower women at our one-of-a-kind women's race," said Lisa Zimmer, co-owner of Fleet Feet Sports.

Event details
Fleet Feet Sports Women's 5K, 10K & Festival
Sunday, July 30
Montrose Harbor
8 a.m. race start
9:30 a.m. NikeGO Kids Race start
Race registration $25 before July 30, $30 on race day. Team race registration $50 before July 30, $60 on race day. NikeGO Kids Race registration fee $10.