'Star' walkers hope to wow crowd

Mr Ong Chee Keong, 32, a civil servant, was such a big hit at The New Paper Big Walk last year that he won the best outfit award.

He turned up as Captain America.

For this year's SG50 Jubilee Big Walk, he will be looking to wow the crowds again by sporting an all-new costume from the Marvel superhero.

"I am very excited for this year because (the Big Walk) is bigger and better," said Mr Ong, who will be taking his girlfriend to the Walk for the first time.

"The route is different from last year and I'll be able to visit iconic places in Singapore."

He was among the first to sign up for the Nov 29 Jubilee Big Walk, which will take participants along the Jubilee Trail from the National Museum to Gardens by the Bay.

Mr Ong will be donning his new Captain America outfit, which was custom-made at a cost of $1,500 and modelled after the version of the latest Avengers movie.

"I just love everything about Captain America... The outfit is a good investment," he said.

Ms Asih Musriyati, 29, a nanny, will also be dressing up.

Last year, she was dressed as Catwoman. This year, she plans to go as Maleficent, the Disney fairy-tale villainess played by Angelina Jolie in the movie of the same name.

Ms Asih said that she has always loved standing out and having the freedom to dress up.

"It was really unexpected and exciting to be on stage last year," she said.

"This year, I invited my family to go to the Big Walk as well."

Apart from Big Walk fans like Ms Asih and Mr Ong, there were also first-timers among the early birds who signed up for the event.

Mr Balu Visanathan, 49, said he was immediately attracted to the event when he read TNP last week.

The marketing director said: "It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing, so I definitely wanted to participate in this milestone event which rounds up our SG50 celebrations."

Mr Balu added: "If there was a SG100 Jubilee Big Walk, I will definitely participate, but I won't be able to live that long."

Others who signed up wanted to show that age was just a number when it comes to an active lifestyle.

Retiree Irene Hong, 71, said: "I can't run, but walking is something I can definitely do."

ENJOYS WALKING

Ms Hong added that she hopes to get her family and friends to join her for the walk, as she enjoys the activity.

And there was civil servant Koh Jing Wei, 34, who was excited about getting the goodie bag, which was worth $880.

"When I saw on The New Paper that the goodie bag was worth $880, I immediately wanted to sign up and I encouraged some of my friends to go...

"Hopefully, more of my friends will agree to join in," said Miss Koh.

About the Jubilee Big Walk

What: The SG50 Jubilee Big Walk 2015 is jointly presented by People's Association and The New Paper

When: 7AM, Nov 29

Where: Starts at the National Museum Of Singapore and ends at Gardens by the Bay

Price: Groups of 50 or more people enjoy registration fees of $20 per person.

For Passion card members, the early-bird registration fee is $20, after which it is $25. For non-Passion card members, the early-bird registration fee is $23, after which it is $28.

Registration

To get the early-bird discourse, which ends on Oct 18, you can register online at www.jubileebigwalk.sg

Goodie Bag

Sign up and get a goodie bag worth $880. The goodies include an exclusive limited-edition commemorative medallion and Denizen t-shirt, beauty treat from Radiance Swiss, wellness treat from Spa Infinity, 10-Day pass to True Fitness, and three months of digital subscription for The New Paper and SPH Magazines.

This article was first published on September 23, 2015.
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