There are no clear favourites for this year’s up run but there is no lack of serious challengers.

Stephen Muzhingi of Zimbabwe secured his third straight Comrades Marathon title in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday morning.

The Comrades is now a commercial behemoth, but it’s still an uphill challenge for most.

The spirit of the Soccer World Cup welcomed the 2010 Comrades Marathon winner, Stephen Muzhingi, into Kingsmead Stadium on Sunday.

Russian athlete Leonid Shvetsov broke the “up-run” record at the 2008 Comrades Marathon on Sunday by 47 seconds with a winning time of 5:24,48.