Rangers take a ballsy run for cancer awareness
SKUKUZA - Some rangers took cancer awareness to a whole new level when they embarked on a fivekilometre run armed with only tekkies and a purple Speedo.
The Hollard Daredevil Run, that aimed to raise awareness for male cancers, took place on October 15. This year was slightly different, though, as the run was supported countrywide as opposed to its usual Johannesburg location.
Among these participants were our very own Kruger National Park (KNP) rangers, some parliamentary runners in Cape Town and a team in the Kalahari Desert pounding the roads of Kathu.
Heidi Brauer, chief marketing officer of Hollard, said they like to do things differently, “to be bold, brave and ballsy.
“The act of stripping down to nothing but a Speedo is not only challenging for runners, but also challenges stereotypes about male cancers. It takes courage to strip down to a Speedo and run in public - but that is the whole idea.
“The Hollard Daredevil Run challenged men to confront male cancers head-on by showing that they are not afraid to run in a Speedo, not afraid to talk about cancer and not afraid to get checked.”
Donning their purple, quirkysloganed speedos, the KNP participants started their route behind the Skukuza Golf Course, proceeded over the Lake Panic wall (where some giraffes joined them) and then went around the staff village.
With the added protection of two armed rangers and in the blistering KNP heat, 22 men completed the route in less than an hour.
The Skukuza Marathon Club challenged other Lowveld clubs to match their 22 men in Speedos next year.
For more information about prostate and testicular cancer, go to prostate-ca.co.za or cansa.org.za.
Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer and is on the increase. According to global research, one in every six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, with the risk increasing with age. Early diagnosis can mean a 95% chance of being cured. All proceeds from the annual Hollard Daredevil Run go to CANSA and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa. Any members of the public wanting to support these purple cancer warriors, can go to www. daredevilrun.com to donate further funds towards cancer awareness and screening initiatives.