As most of us continue to work from home, clocking the recommended 10,000 steps daily can be tough. Even half that number — any less and you are considered “sedentary” — is difficult when the most walking we do is trudging to the kopi tiam to tarpau lunch.

And even if you are disciplined enough, going for long walks around your own neighbourhood can get stale after a while. 

Enter Walk Of Love, a free month-long event organised by TFD, an events agency co-founded by local radio personality Mark van Cuylenburg, better known as The Flying Dutchman, scheduled to be held at the Singapore Sports Hub. It hopes to get people out and about, and make it fun for the whole family at the same time. 

Part of SportSG’s “blended” initiative which aims to encourage local industry players to engage members of the public in “phygital” (digital + physical) events, Walk Of Love will be held every Saturday in December and features three routes ranging from 1km to 2km, as well as a virtual version that you can take part in on your own. 

An avid walker himself who gained an interest in walking during the pandemic, The Flying Dutchman will be leading all the walks himself and joining in the fun with everyone. 

“We all know the health benefits of walking, but personally, I find it very relaxing — it gives me a chance to think, to plan and to take stock of what is going on around me. More importantly, it also allows me time to be alone with the music I love listening to,” he enthuses. 

Pick a theme

If you have been avoiding walks in your neighbourhood because you are bored of seeing the same sights over and over again, Walk Of Love will be a nice change of scenery. 

Every week’s walk boasts a different theme and participants are encouraged to dress up accordingly. 

Have kids with boundless energy? Bring them along on Dec 5, where popular cartoon characters Pororo and Loopy will be present to flag off the walk and welcome back participants, and limited edition goodie bags are available at a special rate.

Just bought some spiffy workout gear from the Black Friday sales? Take it out for a spin on Dec 12 at the sports-themed walk.   

The other two themes are music and heritage, so let your imagination run wild if you decide to dress up.

Walk Of Love will also encourage participants to spread the love to the less fortunate by donating to its appointed charity, Focus On The Family, which provides support to help families thrive. 

Something different every route

You will be surprised by what you can learn on one of Walk Of Love’s themed walks.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB

Every themed walk will take place on one of three available routes, depending on weather conditions and other factors. 

The outdoor Scenic route (1km) offers views of Singapore’s skyline and Kallang Basin; the sheltered Stadium route (1km) takes you on a leisurely tour around the National Stadium; and the Heritage route (2km) combines both the Scenic and Stadium routes for an engaging walk that will leave you with a better understanding of the former and current National Stadium and the Singapore Sports Hub.

Alternatively, you can sign up for the virtual Walk Of Love from Dec 1 to 31 and clock your steps at your own pace and place. Take a photo of your walk or step counter, tag #TFDwalkoflove on Instagram and Facebook, and stand a chance to win a hotel staycation. 

The Flying Dutchman hopes for Walk Of Love to “get more people to be interested in walking as a leisure activity”.

“We don’t always have to confine our walking to neighbourhood malls and shopping centres. The outdoors is a wonderful place to be, with so many things to see,” he says. “Walking is a great bonding experience, and should be enjoyed with family, friends and colleagues — within our current guidelines, of course.”

Find out more about the different walks here.

For the Pororo Walk Of Love on Dec 5, register via EventBrite. For the other three walks on Dec 12, 19 and 26, register via TFD’s website.