Local runners paint the streets purple in their speedos

Thousands of men in purple speedos took part in the ballsiest, bravest run to date.

What started 12 years ago with one brave soul running through peak hour traffic in a speedo to raise awareness about cancer, has since become a nationwide phenomenon.

Usually held as a mass participation event in Johannesburg on Friday, October 15 saw the first-ever Covid-edition national Hollard Daredevil Run 2021 took place around the country.

The event, which raises funds towards prostate and testicular cancer awareness and screening, saw runners taking part countrywide dressed only in a purple speedo, including men from Mpumalanga bravely showing off their inner Daredevil.

“This is a run with a difference that makes a difference. The Hollard Daredevil Run has been a highlight on the South African social calendar since 2009, attracting thousands of brave men from all walks of life to do their part to raise awareness about male cancers,” says Heidi Brauer, Chief Marketing Officer at Hollard.

Far from being limited to the streets of Johannesburg, this year the event attracted participants from every corner of the country, with teams closer to home spotted running in eMalahleni in the scorching heat of the day. 

A 2021 Hollard Daredevil Run highlight is most certainly the purple wildlife warriors ‒ a team of game rangers dressed in nothing but purple speedos taking a run on the wild side through Skukuza in the Kruger National Park. 

Social media was abuzz with images from other participants around the province, some in more rural areas, some as part of high school teams and soccer and sports club teams as well as the bravest of them all, those running alone in their neighbourhoods.

“At Hollard, we like to do things differently, to be bold, brave and ballsy. The act of stripping down to nothing but a speedo is not only challenging for runners but also challenges stereotypes about male cancers. It takes courage to strip down to a speedo and run in public – but that’s the whole idea,” Brauer says. 

“The Hollard Daredevil Run challenges South African men to confront male cancers head-on by showing that they’re not afraid to run in a speedo, not afraid to talk about cancer and not afraid to get checked”.

All proceeds from the annual Hollard Daredevil Run go to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa towards awareness and screening of prostate and testicular cancer. 

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men aged between 15 – 39 and can affect men of all races. The survival rate of stage 1 testicular cancer can be as high as 100%, making early detection and prompt action vital.

Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer and is on the increase. According to global research, one in every six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, with the risk of prostate cancer increasing with age. Early diagnosis can mean a 95% chance of being cured. 

Most South Africans know someone affected by prostate or testicular cancer. The bottom line is that early detection saves lives.

Any members of the public wanting to support these purple cancer warriors can go to www.daredevilrun.com to donate further funds towards cancer awareness and screening initiatives. 

For more information about prostate and testicular cancer, go to https://prostate-ca.co.za/ or https://cansa.org.za/.

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