Pockets of men in purple Speedos popped up across Mpumalanga on October 13 to take part in the 5km 2023 Hollard Daredevil Run.
This included a group in Mbombela who were all part of the UXI Pumas Rugby Institute, except for two participants, who ran around the Mbombela Stadium as part of the Daredevil Run, in aid of male cancer awareness.
A statement by Hollard’s head of marketing, Warwick Bloom, said even game rangers had participated and ran through the Kruger National Park.
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He said the run has become a nationwide phenomenon since it was first started in 2009, raising eyebrows and raising awareness about prostate and testicular cancer.
“We set out this year to achieve the biggest and bravest run to date, and we have achieved just that. This run goes from strength to strength each year, and we cannot be prouder,” said Bloom.
By 2030, prostate cancer is predicted to be the most common cancer in South Africa, with black African men having an estimated 60% higher risk than other population groups. The survival rate in men whose prostate cancer is detected early enough is 95%. While rare, it is still the most common affecting men between the ages of 15 and 35.
Bloom said all proceeds from the run go to the Cancer Association of South Africa and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa, to fund testing in underresourced areas and increase awareness, support and research.