More than 4,000 men run in Speedos to raise cancer awareness - TimesLIVE

More than 4,000 people gathered at Johannesburg’s Zoo Lake for the Hollard Dare Devil Run, the biggest turnout in the event’s 17-year history, to raise awareness of testicular and prostate cancer on Friday.

Thousands of men take part in the annual Dare Devils 5km race to raise awareness about cancer. Picture: Refilwe Kholomonyane Participants wore purple Speedos to draw attention to men’s health and encourage conversations about cancer.

Speaking to TimesLIVE, Adele Kriel, head of experiential marketing at Hollard South Africa, said the turnout showed how willing people were to support the cause.

“We estimated just over 4,000 people. Our biggest run since we started 17 years ago,” she said.

More than 351 runs were held across the country, extending the campaign’s reach beyond Johannesburg.

Young ones also participated in the annual Dare Devils 5km race to raise awareness about cancer. Picture: Refilwe Kholomonyane Kriel said the event was about more than getting people to run in Speedos. The unusual dress code was designed to get people talking about men’s health, a subject many men find difficult to discuss.

“We know men don’t easily talk about their health. And the objective of Dare Devil is to create awareness, to make sure that they feel comfortable talking about testicular and prostate cancer,” she said.

The Cancer Association of South Africa and the Prostate Cancer Foundation are beneficiaries of the initiative. Contributions raised through the campaign help the organisations spread awareness and educate communities, particularly those with limited access to health information.

Men and boys show off the messages raising awareness about prostate and testicular cancer during the annual Dare Devil 5km race. Picture: Refilwe Kholomonyane “I think it shows us every year how people want to make a difference and how they bring their friends and colleagues with them,” Kriel said.

Participants said their reasons for joining the run were personal, ranging from losing loved ones to cancer to wanting to encourage healthier lifestyles.

Kaih Mokoka said he joined the initiative to honour his mother, who had cancer when he was younger.

“I decided to join the initiative to be part of raising awareness because when I was younger my mom had cancer, and I just wanted to honour her in this way and all other cancer patients.”

Men sing as they take part in the annual Dare Devils race at Zoo Lake to raise awareness about prostate and testicular cancer. Picture: Refilwe Kholomonyane Mangaliso Sikhosana said: “I wanted to help the community raise awareness of cancer and to have a good time exercising as well and connect with different people.”

For Daniel Morris, the decision to participate was also influenced by the experiences of people close to him who had suffered from cancer.

He wanted to encourage people to get checked and help spread the message about the importance of early detection.

Thousands of men and boys take part in the annual Dare Devils race to raise awareness about cancer. Picture: Refilwe Kholomonyane Roberto Orlando said the event was a reminder that men needed to take their health seriously and make better lifestyle choices.

“We need to wake up and focus on yourselves and have a better lifestyle. That is why we are running today.”

The Dare Devil Run uses its distinctive dress code to draw attention to cancers that affect men and encourage conversations that may otherwise be avoided.

Men of all ages joined the annual Dare Devils race at Zoo Lake, Johannesburg. Picture: Refilwe Kholomonyane Through the annual event, organisers hope to break down the stigma surrounding men’s health and encourage more men to seek information, speak openly about their concerns and have medical checks when needed.