Get ready for the big, brave, and ballsy 2024 Hollard Daredevil Run!

The date is set, the purple speedos are prepped, and registrations are now open for the 2024 Hollard Daredevil Run, which will take place on November 1.
This iconic annual event, aimed at raising awareness about prostate and testicular cancers, invites men from all walks of life to don their boldest purple speedos and run through the streets to tackle these crucial health issues head-on.

The Daredevil Run began 15 years ago as a daring initiative involving a few brave runners speeding through peak-hour traffic and has evolved into a national movement. What started as a small event to raise cancer awareness has grown into a countrywide campaign, shining a light on the importance of early detection of male cancers. Whether in Johannesburg’s Zoo Lake or in neighbourhoods across South Africa, participants are united by one mission: to run cancer out of their hoods.

Raising funds and awareness

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The announcement of the 2024 event coincides with the handover of funds raised from last year’s run. A remarkable R700 000 was donated to the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa. These funds will support cancer screening and testing in under-resourced areas as well as bolster education and research initiatives.

Cansa’s corporate relationship manager Joani Sadie, highlighted the impact of these donations. “Previous funding enabled Cansa to conduct over 2 000 Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood tests between January 2022 and March 2023,” Sadie said. These non-invasive tests are critical for detecting prostate cancer early, potentially saving lives.

A run for health and hope

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As the face of Hollard’s brand and communications, Allistair Khanyi emphasised that the Daredevil Run isn’t just about raising funds, it’s about creating a culture of conversation and action around men’s health. “The run promotes open discussions about male cancers, their risks, symptoms, and the importance of early detection,” said Khanyi. The statistics are sobering: one in six men will face a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, with the disease predicted to be the most common cancer among South African men by 2030. Moreover, black African men are at a 60% higher risk of developing prostate cancer than other groups.

While less common, testicular cancer is still a major health concern, particularly for younger men aged 15 to 35. Early detection remains key – 95% of men diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer survive, and for testicular cancer, the survival rate for early detection is more than 98%.

Andrew Oberholzer, CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa, pointed out how the Daredevil Run makes these tough conversations more approachable. “It allows men and boys to engage with information about cancer in a lighter, more accessible way, helping to break the stigma around men’s health.”

Join the Daredevil Run

This year, the daring 5km run through Johannesburg’s Zoo Lake will kick off at 3pm on November 1. For those unable to make it to the main event, smaller runs will take place in cities and towns across the country, allowing men to join in from wherever they are.

Last year’s run saw a variety of creative participants, including a group of game rangers who ran through the Kruger National Park, showcasing the event’s growing popularity.

Hollard is calling on individuals, schools, corporates, sports clubs, and communities to get involved. Tickets are now available through Ticketpro.co.za for R180, which includes a registration pack and a complimentary purple speedo.

This year’s run promises to be bigger, braver, and bolder, as South Africans come together to run cancer out of their communities. For more information, visit daredevilrun.com.

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