Did you know that as early as 1935, the Causeway was used as a venue for walkathons between Singapore and Johor Bahru? One such walkathon, in 1958, involved Tan Thang Liang, then a 73-year-old grandfather. Grandpa Tan had been an avid lover of walks and expressed great interest in participating in the walking race organised by St John Ambulance Brigade and the Workers’ Education Association. Despite his doctor advising against it, Grandpa Tan was adamant. “I’m going in for that walk – and no one can stop me.”¹ Therefore, on 27 April 1958, 66 participants, including Grandpa Tan, embarked on a walk from Singapore General Post Office (then located at Fullerton Road) to Johor Bahru, covering a distance of more than 27 km!

Along the way, Grandpa Tan was showered with support from hundreds of passersby. He responded to this fiery support by waving at his supporters with his walking stick. With great composure and determination, Grandpa Tan eventually surprised many by finishing 60th place, taking four hours and 50 minutes. To those who cheered for him at the finishing line, Grandpa Tan simply commented, “You should have walked too.”²

As they say, age is but a number, and 70 is the new 50. One is never too old to take a walk to the Causeway.

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Photographs