OREANDA-NEWS. June 24, 2009. The Belarusian leg of the International Friendship Relay Race will be launched during the youth festival on the border of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine on June 27.

The International Friendship Relay Race started in Prague on May 25 and is to finish in Moscow on July 8.

The race will pass through the Belarusian towns of Dobrush, Gomel, Rechitsa, Svetlogorsk, Bobruisk, Osipovichi, Maryina Gorka, Minsk, Zhodino, Borisov, Belynichi, Mogilev, Shklov, Orsha, Vitebsk, Liozno.

In Belarus the international team of seven runners will be accompanied by a team of eight people. Taking part in the event will be amateur runners, students of youth sports school and anyone who is interested.

In each country the international team is accompanied by local runners. Anyone can touch the torch which symbolizes the world peace. Overall, the International Friendship Relay Race will pass over 100 countries. About 500,000 Europeans and over one million people worldwide are expected to take part in this event.