Style shops all around town have been swamped by womanless customers in search of evening wear that will show off their lovely qualities as they compete in the 2003 Miz Relay Womanless Beauty Contest.

The contest will be held immediately following the 9 p.m. Luminary Ceremony at the 2003 Relay for Life event on the campus of Troy State University.

Catherine Jordan, chairperson of the Miz Relay contest, said this year's contest is beginning to really heat up.

"The competition for the title of 2003 Miz Relay is going to be very spirited and a lot of fun for everyone," Jordan said. "This is the fourth year for the Miz Relay contest.

When a womanless beauty contest was first suggested, there was a lot of skepticism about it. That year we had 15 contestants. The second year we had 25. But, last year, due to the rain and stormy forecast, we had to call off the contest."

Jordan said even though the contest was canceled, womanless beauties kept "popping out –, ah up."

"Every time we looked around there stood another man dressed as a woman," she said, laughing. "Some of them took the stage and one of them was crowned, but we don't know who it was. We apologize for any inconvenience to any of the Miz contestants or their families. We hope that this year the weather will cooperate and every contestant will have an equal chance to wear the coveted title."

Jordan expressed appreciation to all of the men who will take the time and the teasing to participate in the Miz Relay Contest.

"This is not a fundraiser, it's just for fun and everyone really enjoys it," she said. "I was wrong, the first year, in thinking that men wouldn't participate in a contest like this. It's not easy for a man to go shopping for a dress and high heel shoes. They just don't make heels for men. And, to think of all the kidding they have to take once people find out who they really are."

Teams that haven't selected their entry in the Miz Relay Womanless Beauty Contest are encouraged to do so.

"Each team should want to be represented in this fun contest," Jordan said. "Also, each team that has an entry will received 1,000 Relay bucks to be spent at the Relay store."

Jordan said the willingness of men to participate in the Miz Relay contest is an indication of their commitment to finding a cure for cancer.

This year, the Relay for Life recognitions and awards will be presented immediately following the Miz Relay contest. The results of the 2003 fundraising campaign will also be announced at that time.