Ready to run? Hollard Daredevil Run returns with a purple twist

For one day each year, purple speedos become a familiar sight as South African men take to the streets for a cause that is much more serious than the eye-catching outfits suggest.

The 2026 Hollard Daredevil Run is set to take place on Friday, 23 October, with entries now open for the annual men’s health campaign.

The main event will take place at Zoo Lake in Johannesburg at 3pm, while other runs will be held at locations around the country on the same day.

More than just a run

Now in its 18th year, the Hollard Daredevil Run has raised millions for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa.

The money supports education, awareness and screening initiatives focused on prostate and testicular cancer.

CANSA says its work linked to the campaign has reached more than 59 000 men through awareness initiatives. It also conducts an average of more than 2 000 screenings each year, with hundreds of abnormalities referred for further medical attention.

During the 2025 Daredevil Run campaign alone, CANSA completed 610 PSA screenings.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa has also used funds from the campaign to host 143 education and awareness events, support men and their families through its national helpline and make prostate cancer information available in several South African languages.

The Foundation is also set to launch what it describes as South Africa’s first National Prostate Cancer Registry this year.

The message behind the purple

This year’s campaign carries the tagline ‘Lekker balls, Lekker life!‘, putting the focus on knowing your health risks and taking action early.

Prostate cancer remains a major health concern for South African men. According to the campaign information, one in eight men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime, while Black African men face a 60% higher risk than other population groups.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa recommends annual PSA testing from age 40 for Black African men and men with a first-degree family history of prostate and/or breast cancer. For other men, annual PSA screening is recommended from age 45.

Testicular cancer is less common, but it is the most common cancer among young men aged 15 to 49, affecting approximately one in every 250 males.

CANSA recommends that men between 15 and 49 perform a monthly testicular self-examination and seek medical attention if they notice a lump, swelling or another unusual change.

Why early checks matter

At the heart of the Daredevil Run is a straightforward message: early detection can save lives.

The campaign uses the fun and deliberately attention-grabbing image of thousands of men running in purple speedos to get people talking about health checks that can otherwise be uncomfortable or easy to put off.

As Adel Kriel, Head of Experiential Marketing at Hollard, puts it, the purple speedo is intended to be more than a costume. It is part of an effort to challenge stigma and encourage men to take their health more seriously.

How to take part

Entries for the 2026 Hollard Daredevil Run cost R200 and include a registration pack delivered by courier as well as the campaign’s signature purple speedo.

Participants can join the main Johannesburg run at Zoo Lake or take part at one of the other locations hosting runs around the country on 23 October.

Those who would rather contribute financially can also donate through the Hollard Daredevil Run BackaBuddy page.

Last year’s event raised R1.2 million, and Hollard is hoping to exceed that amount in 2026.

For more information and entries, visit Hollard Daredevil Run.

At a glance

• Event: Hollard Daredevil Run 2026
• Date: Friday, 23 October 2026
• Main event: Zoo Lake, Johannesburg
• Time: 3pm
• Entry fee: R200
• Cause: Prostate and testicular cancer awareness
• Beneficiaries: CANSA and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa
• 2025 amount raised: R1.2 million

The purple speedos may grab attention, but the bigger goal is getting more men to pay attention to their health.

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