GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Men of all shapes, sizes and ages will once again grace the streets of the Garden Route and the rest of South Africa this year sporting only purple speedos! 

The 2026 Hollard Daredevil Run to highlight prostate cancer will take place on 23 October and plans for the Plettenberg Bay leg of the run are already afoot. 

Last year the brave men in purple speedos who participated in the countrywide run raised an amazing R1,2 million for Cansa and the Prostate Cancer Foundation, boosting their quest to catch prostate cancer early.

The Garden Route also came to the party when scantily clad men took to the streets in Plettenberg Bay - and this year they are doing it again!

Chris Sounes is once more organising the 2026 run in Plett and has already started his campaign to get as many daredevils as possible to make their way down to Central Beach from the CBD sporting only purple speedos.

“I invite all Garden Route men to join us on 23 October for a run or walk - it’s great fun for a great cause!”

Some of the guys are known to make a few ‘pitstops’ along the way to quench their thirst as the only race against time for these daredevils is the race to get tested for prostate cancer in time!

Sounes is in communication with Hollard to set up a special email and WhatsApp number for the 2026 Plett leg of the Daredevil Run. So, watch this space - we will share the Plett details as soon as they are available.

The organiser of the Plettenberg Bay leg of the Hollard Daredevil Run, Chris Sounes, leading the way to Central Beach in 2025. Photo: Cor Swanepoel

Lekker Balls, Lekker Life

The Hollard Daredevil Run has been going strong for 17 years and shows no signs of putting its trousers back on. 

This year the tagline is Lekker Balls, Lekker Life, and, as a simple blood test for men over 40 can detect elevated protein levels before a single symptom appears, the tagline can easily ring true for each and every man!

The money funds awareness campaigns, Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screening and patient support. "The Hollard Daredevil Run is an unforgettable experience that raises awareness in a fun, engaging manner and sparks dialogue about men’s health in a non-threatening way,” says Hazel Chimhandamba, group chief marketing officer at Hollard.

"We are incredibly grateful to every daredevil who dares to run in a purple speedo. It takes a special kind of bravery to turn heads for something that truly matters. Because behind all the laughs is a very serious mission: getting more men to check in on their health and each other," Chimhandamba says.

Group Editors digital producer, Cameron Squire, is too hip to be square and also took part in last year’s race in Plettenberg Bay. 

Organise your own event

Participants in the Friday 23 October event are able to register and run anywhere in the country.

Registrations for the 2026 Hollard Daredevil Run opened on 1 July and tickets are available from Ticketpro at R200, which includes the courier of a registration pack and a complimentary purple speedo.

For more information, go to www.hollard.co.za/daredevilrun.

And remember, if you can't find or organise a Daredevil Run in your own town, spend a fun day in Plett where Sounes is organising everything on the daredevils' behalf.

Join these 2025 daredevils when they take to the streets of Plett this year.

Prostate cancer facts

Prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in South African men. 

One in eight men is expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, with black African men facing a 60% higher risk than other population groups.

Testicular cancer, while less widespread, is most common in young men aged 15 - 49, affecting approximately 1 in every 250 males. When caught early, it is highly treatable.

A two-minute self-examination can detect lumps, swelling, or changes early - considerably less time than it takes to run 5km in a purple speedo - and the payoff is just as big.

And a simple PSA blood test is all it takes to detect elevated protein levels before a single prostate cancer symptom appears!

Each purple speedo sports a fun, but important, message.

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