Purple speedos light up NWU campus

Students and staff at the North-West University put on their striking purple speedos with a variety of colourful slogans and ran 5 kilometres on the NWU Potchefstroom Campus to promote the fight against testicular and prostate cancer.

This run was part of the annual Hollard Daredevil Run where men take part in 5 km runs countrywide to promote awareness of one of society’s biggest challenges.

This was the second year a row that the NWU hosted this event. This year more students from various hostels also took part in this event to increase the number of purple speedo wearers in the midday sun.

The heat though did not deter the runners, who promptly took a splash in the fountain at the main building on campus after the 5km run.

Photos: Tian du Preez

NWU Director of Sport, Sheldon Rostron, had earlier this week stated the importance of collaborating with the Hollard Daredevil Run to increase awareness around prostate cancer.

According to recent statistics, testicular cancer is the most common cancer affecting males between the ages of 15 and 35. Prostate cancer affects as many 1 in 6 men and is predicted to become the most common cancer in South Africa by 2030. Early detection, however, dramatically increases the odds of fully recovering from these cancers, and can save lives.

“Running in just a speedo is something that asks a lot of men – more than most people understand. But dealing with cancer asks a great deal more. And that’s part of why this platform works so well in helping people understand the importance of catching these cancers early”, says Warwick Bloom, Head of Group PR at Hollard.