Etana Daredevil Run 2013 in Cape Town
The Etana Insurance Dardevil Run is all about promoting the awareness and dangers of prostrate and testicular cancer. The only thing that makes this run quite different are that the particitpants are men of all shapes and sizes in tight red speedos.
“Do you have the balls?”
That was the one sentence that grabbed my attention and tugged at my competitive spirit days before the event.
Before I knew it I found myself taking part in a 4.5km run amongst a tidal wave of semi-naked men in a tight fitting red speedo, strutting my stuff on the streets of the mothercity.
Did you run? We may just have caught you on camera! See Yourself in Action here!
What is the Daredevil Run?
The Daredevil Run is a national initiative promoting the awareness and dangers of prostrate and testicular cancer. Men get dressed in red speedos and run a 5km route in midday traffic attracting the attention of their city, country and also the world.
Where did it originate?
In 2009 one brave man was dared by his friends to take a run in peak traffic dressed in nothing but a speedo. After finding some sponsorship, the silly dare soon turned into a national event as a cause for cancer and fundraiser for cancer charities.
Who is the Sponsor?
Etana Insurance is the main sponsor for the Daredevil Run.
Who takes part?
Men with all shapes and sizes [pun intended].
There are no age restrictions. Fathers push prams with month old babies and even grandfathers of 70 years old join into the fun. There have been records of blind men, one-legged men and even men well over the scale’s maximum taking part in the event.
Why the red speedo?
The explosive effect of a multitude of men and muscle running down a street in tiny speedos draws attention.
It gets cars to slow down, women to cheer from open windows, people to rip out their phones and take pictures, but most importantly get’s the public to ask the big question… “But why?”
Where else is the race held other than Cape Town?
Durban, Pretoria, Dullstroom, Grahamstown, George, Richards Bay and the Midlands.
How long is the race?
Not longer than 5km depending on your city. Cape Town’s route started at the Hamilton’s Rugby Club in Green Point. The route went along Fritz Sonnenberg Road to Beach Road, along the Promenade in Sea Point and back again to Hamilton’s Rugby Club. Cape Town’s route was 4.5km.
What else should I know about the Daredevil Run?
All the funds raised go to cancer charities. Daredevils (the runners) get to keep their speedos, receive a beer/cold drink and something to eat after the race and can get a quick check-up by going for a finger-prick test at the CANSA unit on site.
Content | Ed Beukes