According to Hollard, the streets of Mzansi were lined with purple — not by the annual blooming of Jacarandas but by thousands of men and boys in purple speedos bravely running 5km in aid of male cancer awareness in the 2023 Hollard Daredevil Run.

Over 3 000 daredevils ran from Zoo Lake in the afternoon, and hundreds of satellite runs took place all around South Africa throughout the day, from major centres to small towns and rural communities.

Hollard says the Hollard Daredevil Run saw teams taking part in:
  • Durban
  • Pretoria
  • Cape Town
  • Kimberley
  • Bloemfontein, and
  • everywhere in between.

Participants were spotted running cancer out of their hoods in:
  • Despatch
  • Gonubie
  • Virginia
  • Bethlehem
  • Secunda
  • Potchefstroom
  • Thohoyandou
  • Giyani
  • Makhado
  • Sedgefield, and
  • even a team of game rangers braving a whole lot more by running through the Kruger National Park.

"The Hollard Daredevil Run has become a nationwide phenomenon since it first started in 2009, raising eyebrows and raising awareness about prostate and testicular cancer," says Warwick Bloom, head of group marketing at Hollard. "We set out this year to achieve the biggest and bravest run to date, and we have achieved just that. This run goes from strength to strength each year and we cannot be prouder."

In 2023, there were more high schools taking part than ever before, with many schools and hundreds of learners in provinces around the country getting teams together to support the cause, says Hollard. 

"Many men may be reluctant to talk about health issues or seek professional help. It is for this reason that cancer is often diagnosed later and perhaps at a more advanced stage. Detecting and treating these cancers early means better futures for men and their families around the country," says Bloom. 

By 2030, prostate cancer is predicted to be the most common cancer in South Africa, with black African men having an estimated 60% higher risk for prostate cancer than other population groups. The survival rate in men whose prostate cancer is detected early enough is 95%, according to Hollard.

While rare, testicular cancer is still the most common cancer affecting males between the ages of 15 and 35. The survival rate for men who are diagnosed and treated for early-stage testicular cancer can be as high as 98%, Hollard adds. 

All proceeds from the Hollard Daredevil Run go to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa (PCFSA) to fund testing in under-resourced areas and increase awareness, support and research, says Hollard. 

"We want to thank both the Cancer Association of South Africa and the Prostate Cancer Foundation for partnering with Daredevil for so many years. Thank you for accompanying us on this journey as the event has grown and changed over the years and for the amazing work that you all do," Bloom says. 

"We are so proud that this run with a difference can make such a difference in the lives of so many men and their families," concludes Bloom. 

For more information, visit www.daredevilrun.com. You can also follow the Hollard Daredevil Run on Facebook, X or on Instagram.