DUSHANBE, September 30, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik capital is making preparations for receiving participants in the 2008 World Friendship Run that are arriving in Dushanbe on October 2, Asia-plus ahs learned from Shavkat Saidov, a spokesman for the Dushanbe mayor.  

According to him, the Dushanbe mayor passed a resolution on September 29 obligating to receive the Run participants at proper level and provide their security during traveling through the city.   

The World Friendship Run kicked off from the UN Headquarters in New York on April 10 and representatives of more than 70 nations attended its opening ceremony, the spokesman said.

The run is a global relay that seeks to promote international friendship and understanding.  As a symbol of harmony, runners carry a flaming torch, passing it from hand to hand traveling through over 100 nations around the globe.  The run is held annually in the 5 main continents of America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australasia.  The runners come from all walks of life and freely give up their time to take part.  The runners meet a variety of people during the run, from local mayors and dignitaries, to people who just happen to be passing by.