DUSHANBE, March 17, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- 13,500 people have participated in a race dedicated to International Navrouz Day, the Dushanbe mayor’s office reports.

The race took place on March 17: the race route began at the traffic police checkpoint Chorbogh in the Varzob district and ended at Dushanbe’s Navrouzgoh Complex.

Hasan Ghafurov took the first place among men and Munisa Rahimova took the first place among women.  In all, 25 participants of the race were given various awards, the source said.

The race gave a kick-start to a series of events dedicated to the Navrouz holiday.  These events will last in the Tajik capital until March 27 and the main event will take place at the Navrouzgoh Complex on March 25.