It’s an up-run again this year and it is believed that 2017 will see the record tumble.

Russia’s Leonid Shevetsov holds the men’s up record at 5:24:49, while his compatriot, Elena Nurgalieva, stopped the clock at 6:09:23 in 2006.

The defending women’s up champion, Caroline Wöstmann, is sadly not competing this year after picking up an injury during the Two Ocean’s earlier this year.

This sees last year’s champion, Charné Bosman, being considered as the favourite to make it back-to-back wins.

Due to the course from Durban to Pietermaritzburg being 86.73 km this year, the nine-time champion, Bruce Fordyce, told OFM Sport that he believes the defending champion, Kroonstad-born David Gatebe, will break the record.

“I think the record can go, partly because the course it the shortest it’s been in a decade.

“If David Gatebe, who broke the record last year is in shape he will definitely break the record.

“I think that we’re going to have a reasonable day.

“I looked at the advanced weather and it’s said it’s going to be about 22-23 degrees, with a little a bit of breeze.

“But that’s fine, so we could well have a record.”

The 92nd Comrades Marathon will be run on Sunday.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport