The Hollard Daredevil Run returns in October after helping CANSA reach more than 59,000 men through cancer awareness initiatives and supporting thousands of annual screenings.
The annual men’s health campaign will take place on Friday, 23 October 2026, with thousands of men expected to once again participate wearing the event’s distinctive purple Speedos.
Over the past 17 years, the initiative has raised millions of rand for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa, with funding directed towards cancer education, awareness, screening and support.
The results provide a measurable picture of the campaign’s reach. Since CANSA partnered with the Hollard Daredevil Run, the organisation has reached more than 59,000 men through awareness initiatives and conducts an average of more than 2,000 screenings annually.
Hundreds of abnormalities have subsequently been referred for further medical care. During the 2025 Daredevil Run campaign alone, CANSA conducted 610 prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screenings.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa has also used funding generated through the campaign to host 143 education and awareness events and support hundreds of men and their families through its national helpline.
The Foundation has expanded access to prostate cancer educational resources in multiple South African languages and plans to launch South Africa’s first National Prostate Cancer Registry in 2026.
“Wearing a purple speedo isn’t just about having fun. It’s about making a statement. Every participant who takes part in the Daredevil Run helps break down stigma, encouraging more men to prioritise their health and understand which health checks could one day save their lives,” said Adel Kriel, Head of Experiential Marketing at Hollard.
The campaign continues to focus on prostate and testicular cancer awareness and the role of early detection.
According to information provided by the campaign, one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, while Black African men face a 60% higher risk than other population groups.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation recommends annual PSA testing from age 40 for Black African men and men with a first-degree family history of prostate or breast cancer. For other men, annual PSA screening is recommended from age 45.
Testicular cancer, meanwhile, is identified as 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 conduct monthly testicular self-examinations and consult a healthcare professional when they identify a lump, swelling or other unusual change.
The 2025 Daredevil Run raised R1.2 million, with Hollard aiming to increase that contribution through the 2026 campaign.
This year’s main Johannesburg run will take place at Zoo Lake at 15:00 on 23 October, alongside runs at locations around the country.
Entries cost R200 and include a registration pack and the purple Speedo synonymous with the campaign.
Through the combination of fundraising, screenings, education and improved access to cancer information, the Daredevil Run has developed from an annual awareness event into a sustained men’s health initiative with measurable reach across South Africa.
The campaign’s measurable reach is matched by its emphasis on early detection, with the recommended PSA screening ages and testicular self-check guidance shaping its practical men’s health message.
