I’m not a “running-fit” person. I prefer to drive. Or even walk. And I certainly don’t wear a Speedo if I can help it. But there’s an event every year for which I make an exception: the Etana DAREdevil Run.
A couple of years ago I wrote about my thorny relationship with this event, about the wheezing and panting and imagining my legs were going to fall off while making my way painstakingly down Jan Smuts Avenue in peak hour traffic in a Speedo. But putting things into perspective, I guess it’s not as bad as testicular or prostate cancer, the causes that the event supports.
I lost my mother to cancer when I was a kid, so the cause is quite close to my heart. Plus I am a big fan of Etana and try wherever I can to support them.
Panting and wheezing aside, the DAREdevil Run is actually an awesome event. I missed it last year, but was able to follow it closely on Twitter.
This year I’ll be back.
I’ve decided to walk this time. I don’t like what running does to me and I find it insufferably unpleasant. I’m looking for people who are unfit like me to bring up the rear with six-packs (of beer, that is – no visible abdominal muscles will be tolerated).
Ja, it feels awkward parading through town in a Speedo – probably not as awkward as cancer, though. However, when you’re one of hundreds of guys doing it, you get a sense of blokey camaraderie that makes you glad to be a guy … and relieved not to be the plonker who chose to wear a t-shirt. (All body types are represented and there are no judgements. Get over yourself.)
And so, once again, I encourage you to move a little bit outside of your comfort zone. Put on a Speedo on 8 November and run/walk with the rest of us. Do it to honour someone you know who’s been affected by cancer. Do it to gain karma points in the hopes that you may avoid getting cancer yourself. Do it despite your fitness level, the size of your stomach or the paleness of your skin (trust me, there will be people there who are far worse than you). Do it coz Etana always does fantastic stuff for us. Or do it for whatever other reason/s you can think of - and ignore the many reasons you can think of NOT to do it!!
Like I said, no one will be judging you – unless you miss the run for a kak reason.
Register at www.daredevilrun.com. Events will take place on 8 November 2013 in Joburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, KZN Midlands, George, Richards Bay, Grahamstown and Miami (USA). A platteland run will be held in Dullstroom on 9 November.
Feel free to pass this message on to anyone who might be able to participate. Hope to see you there, especially if it’s at the back of the pack!
