Look: Thousands of men bare all at Hollard Daredevil Run

Thousands of men swapped running gear for purple speedos at Zoo Lake in Johannesburg for the 2026 Hollard Daredevil Run, an annual initiative that encourages regular prostate and testicular cancer screening, Joburg Etc reports.

More than 3 000 men ran along Jan Smuts Avenue, Upper Park Drive, Oxford Road and surrounding suburbs. Hundreds of local runs took place nationwide.

‘Every year, the support from Daredevils across South Africa has been truly remarkable. While the run is undoubtedly fun, it’s the meaningful cause, the sense of brotherhood and the shared purpose of creating awareness of male cancers that keeps Daredevils coming back year after year,’ says Adél Kriel, Hollard South Africa’s head of experiential marketing.

Picture: Supplied

The 2026 tagline was Lekker Balls. Lekker Life. Over 17 years, the run has raised millions of rands for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF).

Actor and presenter Siv Ngesi hosted at the start and finish line, while CANSA offered on-site PSA testing and PCF members were on hand.

One in eight men is expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and Black African men face a 60% higher risk. Testicular cancer is most common in men aged 15 to 49. Both are highly treatable when caught early.

Picture: Supplied

Kriel added: ‘At Hollard, we want to help men and their families navigate uncertainty with greater confidence by challenging stereotypes and encouraging screening and early detection. 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. Thank you to each and every participant and supporter for the difference they have made today.’

South Africans can still donate through the Hollard Daredevil Run BackaBuddy page.