North Coast Speedo brigade raises cancer awareness
The annual 5km run has become a nationwide phenomenon, with all proceeds going to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa.
Thousands of men around the country donned purple Speedos to take part in this year’s Hollard Daredevil Run, raising awareness about prostate cancer.
While about 30 men were seen running in their Speedos in Ballito last Friday morning, hundreds more took on the run in Durban, including groups from Dolphin Coast Striders, the Durban North Running Club, UKZN, Westville Boys High School, Umhlanga Beach, La Mercy Kitesurfing and Glenwood Boys High School.
Hollard head of public relations, Warwick Bloom, said running in just a speedo was something that asked a lot of men, more than most people understand.
The annual 5km run has become a nationwide phenomenon, with all proceeds going to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa.
CANSA’s head of service delivery, Gerda Strauss, said increasing awareness of the signs and symptoms of various cancers and offering advice on how to adopt a healthier lifestyle, helps empower men to take control of their health, lower their risk of cancer and encourage earlier detection.
Heidi Brauer, chief marketing officer at Hollard, said they were pleased with the support they have received from around the country.
The act of stripping down to nothing but a Speedo is not only daunting for runners, but also challenges stereotypical male behaviour, which often prevents men from tackling health issues.
“With this event, we ask 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. Catching cancer early means a better chance of surviving,” said Brauer.
Testicular cancer is the most common affecting males between the ages of 15 and 35.
Prostate cancer affects as many as one in six men and it is predicted to become the most common cancer in South Africa by 2030.
What’s more alarming is that black African men have a 60% higher risk of developing prostate cancer than their white counterparts.
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