Ramatsiyi Moholoa

The Comrades Marathon has been attracting celebrities lately. Kabelo, Malose Kekana, radio and television personality Redi Direko, actor David Vlok as well as DJ Lungile Radu are some of those who will line up for the race on Sunday.

Kabelo is a top musician, Kekana is the Umsobomvu Youth Fund chief executive, while Direko presents the Redi Direko Show on 702 Talk Radio and is a Sowetan columnist.

Vlok is a popular television actor better known as Tim Vorster in soapie Egoli, while Radu is a Channel O Video DJ. Thabiso Matladi, wife of the popuIlar DJ Fresh from 5fm, is a also a regular participant.

Japan's Yuko Arimori, who won silver and bronze medals at the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympics in the marathon event, is also running.

Direko could not be reached for comment as was the case with Vlok, Radu and Kabelo.

Kekana is going for his sixth Comrades. He has completed four Two Oceans Marathons.

"When I prepare for Comrades, I know I have to train hard. It also helps to keep one fit and healthy," said Kekana.

"It is not like golf, which is a sport for the elite. Comrades is for everybody, be it managers, taxi drivers, politicians or security personnel."

This year and next year the marathon will take place in May to accommodate the Fifa Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup.

The race starts at 5.30am at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and ends in Durban . This year's marathon has attracted 12890 runners from across the world.