Ballito’s bravest runners swapped shorts for Speedos last Friday, joining thousands of men across the country to raise awareness for male cancers.

Despite waking up to a chilly morning, around 20 local runners bared almost all for a good cause as part of the annual Hollard Daredevil Run. The event was held in conjunction with the weekly Hunt Properties 5K run, which starts and ends at Concha Café every Friday morning.

Hunt Properties MD Ryan Hunt said he was impressed by the turnout.

“The Daredevil Run has become an important annual event on our Hunt 5K Friday calendar since we first got involved in 2021,” said Hunt.

“It’s great to see our community coming together to support such an important cause.”

Ballito was one of several KZN communities taking part, alongside Durban North, North Beach, Glenashley, Hilton and Empangeni. The main event at Johannesburg’s Zoo Lake attracted more than 3 000 men, while thousands more participated across the country.

Now in its 17th year, the Daredevil Run has raised millions for the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation, funding awareness campaigns and screening programmes.

“This year’s tagline, “Lekker Balls, Lekker Life” celebrates the idea that taking care of your health today means being more aware, prioritising regular screenings and getting checked early,” said Hollard’s head of experiential marketing, Adél Kriel.

“Thank you to each and every participant and supporter for the difference they have made.”

An estimated one in eight South African men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, with African men facing a 60% higher risk than other racial groups. Testicular cancer is less common, but it still affects about one in 250 men, with those aged 15 to 49 at greater risk.

Find out more about the run and male cancers at hollard.co.za/daredevilrun.