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Coming together for a walk

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Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was among 25,000 walkers who took part yesterday in the SG50 Jubilee Big Walk 2015 (JBW).

Mr Lee was surrounded by a sea of white stretching through the city centre as Singaporeans, young and old, from all walks of life, strolled along the 5km route in the morning sun, after an early morning drizzle.

He was accompanied by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu and National Development Minister Lawrence Wong as well as Singapore Press Holdings chairman Lee Boon Yang.

The crowd, dressed in JBW T-shirts, passed old and new iconic landmarks such as the Padang, Singapore River, Esplanade and Gardens by the Bay.

The JBW took in part of a new permanent 8km commemorative trail, known as the Jubilee Walk, which connects more than 20 historic and iconic locations within the Civic District and Marina Bay precinct.

Mr Lee took selfies with some participants, shook hands with others and even exchanged high fives with young children.

The mass walk, a high point of the SG50 celebrations, was organised by the People's Association and The New Paper.

TNP editor Dominic Nathan, 51, said: "It was a great turnout and, in the end, super sunshine as well. Who could have asked for more?

"A big thank you to all our partners who helped make the SG50 Jubilee Big Walk possible, especially co-organisers the People's Association."

For participants, the JBW was a chance to relive the past, appreciate the present and relish the future of this magnificent red dot.

At points along the JBW route, walkers shared nostalgic stories about life en route, grateful stories of what we have and hopeful stories of our continued success.

TNP Big WalkLee Hsien Loong