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Joburg daREDevils put their balls on the line for cancer

4 November, 2011

"I got balls" was one of many messages that runners had sprayed onto themselves to show their support

By Stuart Dickinson, addtional reporting Kate Rau

First came the distant sound of a thousand footfalls, steadily growing louder. Then flashes of red reflected in the rear-view mirrors of those stuck in Joburg’s afternoon traffic. Finally, they swarmed in, darting (and some gasping) past the cars lined up on Jan Smuts Avenue as they jogged towards the finish line and ice-cold beers – the Speedo-clad daREDevils of 2011.   

I was among them, proudly wearing my red Etana Speedo (and fighting questionable fitness levels) in raising awareness for testicular and prostate cancer. Aside from seeing so many men gathered in one place wearing nothing but Speedos, I would definitely say the sense of camaraderie and brotherhood among all who ran was one of the first things I noticed.

And as Chris, a fellow daREDevil, explained to me as we approached the Johannesburg Zoo during the run: “This event and what it stands for is much bigger than anyone’s ego. Who cares if you’re fat, thin, pale, or whatever. We’re all in this for a great cause, and no one gives a hoot what you look like in a Speedo.”

I strongly agreed with him, despite secretly having done a few sets of sit-ups in the morning. Didn’t help anyway…   

Etana's Abdul Ebrahim has been a loyal daREDevil since 2009, and has earned his "gold member" Speedo

The daREDevil run is now in its third hugely successful year, and each has been more well-attended than the last. It has spread not only across South Africa, with runs in Cape Town and Durban, but also to international shores, with unofficial runs in the UK (during their winter, ek se!), Windhoek, China, Dubai and Sydney.

Today’s daREDevil run saw over 1 000 Speedo-clad men bare almost all in a charity dash for cancer. The swimwear streak, which took place at venues in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town today, is sponsored by South Africa’s largest dedicated business insurer, Etana.

With “coveRED cheeks” and wearing red caps, men of all shapes and sizes strutted their stuff in red cozzies and helped raise funds, awareness and eyebrows for testicular and prostate cancer.

“I’m proud to be running this year again,” said Etanan Bongani Khoza, a three-time runner in the Johannesburg leg.

“The run is all about coming together as men and doing good,” he said of Etana’s event, which has grown in number (and popularity) since it’s sassy debut.

Colleen, a daring lady daREDevil, snuck past the officials to run in support of testicular and prostate cancer

Etana’s Abdul Ebrahim couldn’t agree more. He’s been a loyal daREDevil runner since the event began – and he’s not even a runner – and he’s got the gold Speedo to prove it. When asked why he does it, he simply shrugged and said: “We’re giving towards a great cause.”

Etana’s annual daREDevil run wasn’t always a national event. The race has its origins in a 2009 pub challenge, when then KPMG accountant Nick Levesley, a close friend of many Etanans, was dared to run through peak-hour traffic in a Speedo. Not one to do the risqué dash alone, Nick convinced Etana Insurance and hundREDs of men to join him. And the charity event that takes balls to enter was born.

Last year’s race in Johannesburg saw the largest gathering of men in swimwear – and some 603 coveRED participants scored a collective 2012 Guinness World Records entry for their efforts.

I bumped into Nick on his way to the start – he looked mighty chuffed to be running again.

This year the daREDevil run went national and men took part in “red Speedo runs” countrywide.

“I’m ready for another 4km,” said Chris Muller, the first daREDevil to cross the line in Durban. He also commented that his Speedo helped him notch up the fastest time since it eliminated drag…

First-time daREDevil Karl Rogers (right) says he'll definitely be going balls to the wall next year again

Back in Parktown, local runners were in top form. Sporting costumes, beards, hats and even Mo-vember moustaches, men with balls of steel and attitude to match showed residents what they’re made of.

“Since when can men only take part?” asked Colleen, as I snapped a photo of her.

“What an awesome run,” said first-time runner Karl Rogers. “I feel great and will definitely be sharing the experience with a whole bunch more people next year!”

To browse a gallery of photos of the event, please click here