NewsWPLG Local 10October 23, 2026Miami-Dade County
Runners in Johannesburg wear purple briefs for annual Hollard Daredevil Race to raise prostate cancer awareness
Photo: WPLG Local 10
Hundreds of men participated in the annual Hollard Daredevil Race in Johannesburg on Friday, wearing purple briefs to highlight prostate cancer and encourage screenings. Organizers and researchers noted that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in South Africa and is frequently diagnosed only at advanced stages due to low public awareness.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10Why It Matters
The event addresses a public health gap where studies show a majority of men in certain South African provinces lack awareness of prostate cancer and screening methods, despite high survival rates when the disease is caught early.
Key Facts
- Hundreds of runners wearing purple briefs participated in the Hollard Daredevil Race in Johannesburg on Friday.
- The annual event is designed to raise awareness of prostate cancer, described by researchers as the most common cancer in South Africa.
- A 2023 study in Free State province found that fewer than one in four Black men diagnosed with prostate cancer had heard of the disease prior to diagnosis.
- A 2023 study in Limpopo province found that almost two-thirds of men had inadequate awareness of prostate cancer, and over 80% knew nothing about screening methods.
- Prostate Cancer Foundation CEO Andrew Oberholzer stated that when caught early, more than 99% of men are alive five years later.
- Some participants, including long-distance runner Riyaad Kriel, are prostate cancer survivors who encourage other men to get screened.
Who's Mentioned
OrganizationProstate Cancer Foundation“Foundation providing context on screening and survival rates”locationFree State“Province where a 2023 study on prostate cancer was conducted”locationSouth Africa“Country where the disease and race are studied/held”PersonAndrew Oberholzer“Chief executive of the Prostate Cancer Foundation”PersonRiyaad Kriel“Participant and prostate cancer survivor”locationLimpopo“Province where a 2023 study on prostate cancer awareness was conducted”locationJohannesburg“Location where the race took place”OrganizationHollard Daredevil Race“Annual racing event highlighting prostate cancer”