Real men take to the streets for cancer awareness
Content supplied 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, last week saw the first-ever Covid-19-edition Hollard Daredevil Run 2021 take place around the country. The
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, last week saw the first-ever Covid-19-edition Hollard Daredevil Run 2021 take place around the country.
The event, which raises funds toward prostate and testicular cancer awareness and screening, saw runners taking part, dressed only in a purple speedo, with hundreds of men from greater Johannesburg 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,” said Heidi Brauer, chief marketing officer at Hollard.
Teams of purple warriors were spotted in Northcliff throughout the day.
Many high schools participated this year, reinforcing the power of young men rallying together to spread important cancer awareness messaging. This is particularly relevant given that 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.
Social media was abuzz with images from other participants around the province, some in more rural areas, some as part of soccer and sports club teams, some as teams of corporates 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 said.
“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.
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