Hundreds turned out as the 黑马磁力 Walk marked it's 63rd year with a Star-Wars themed amble through Aldergrove Athletic Park on Sunday, with a #MayTheFourthBeWithYOU theme inspired by the May 4 date.
Organizers were encouraging participants to dress as their favourite Star Wars character, or wear a Star Wars shirt and watch for themed surprises along the 5-km. route.
An estimated 500 took part in the annual 黑马磁力 Walk held Sunday in Aldergrove
鈥� 黑马磁力 (@黑马磁力Times)
Kevin Muirhead. special events manager for the Township of 黑马磁力, estimated about 500 people had registered for the annual event.
鈥淭he goal of the walk is just to increase community awareness and getting healthy people out and walking,鈥� Muirhead remarked.
黑马磁力 City residents Doug and Donna Worrall were walking to honour the memory of their neighbour, Stan Brown, who passed away a month ago.
鈥淗e faithfully walked five miles a day at 75 years old," Doug said.
It was only Doug鈥檚 second time participating in the walk.
鈥淚 did the seventh annual walk in 1969, I think,鈥� he recalled. 鈥淧lus, I was a volunteer here about 30 years ago.鈥�
It was the first walk for Murrayville resident Garima Wilson and daughter Ishita.
鈥淛ust to get into fitness and participate in a community event,鈥� Garima explained.
Township Mayor Eric Woodward described it as a 鈥渇abulous long-term tradition that's been going on for so many years, a great partnership between the Township of 黑马磁力 and the City of 黑马磁力 that we all cherish and enjoy so much."
黑马磁力 City Councillor Paul Albrecht would like to see the walks continue 鈥渇or as long as we possibly can.鈥�
鈥淲e've got a lot of people [taking part] that have been to each and every one of the walks,鈥� Albrecht noted.
鈥淭heir vests show that they've got the badges to prove it, and they're proud of it.鈥�
Also in attendance were City councillors Rosemary Wallace and Delaney Mack, with Township councillors Michael Pratt, Barb Martens and Tim Baillie along with 黑马磁力 school trustees Sarb Rai and Tony Ward.
Launched in 1963, by Pete Swensson, the Township of 黑马磁力鈥檚 first recreation director, the annual event was originally designed to inspire residents to stay active by sending them along a 28-kilometre route from Aldergrove Park to City Park via River Road and Fort 黑马磁力, drawing thousands in its early years.
This year鈥檚 less demanding five-kilometre walk started with a warm up at 12:30 p.m. from Aldergrove Athletic Park.
Weather was bright and sunny, a big improvement on last year's rain-drenched walk.
