MRT walkers hike East-West Line in 27 hours

Kam and his friends completed a 48km route along the Downtown Line in 16 hours on Aug 21, with about 50 new followers.

Around 80 people joined them for a 57km trek along the Thomson-East Coast Line, on Sept 4. It took 16 hours, including rest breaks.

After this event, rail operator SMRT began working with Sidequests Central to support the two remaining walks along the North-South Line and East-West Line.

It provided “challenge flags” for both treks and coordinated the distribution of more than 1,000 bottles of mineral water and 100Plus across 13 MRT stations to help keep walkers hydrated during the North-South Line trek.

That 61km trek was completed in 17hr 30min on Sept 25, including rest breaks.

SMRT set up similar hydration points at 14 MRT stations along the East-West Line on Nov 13 and 14 and helped with route planning. It also provided blinking safety lights to help with the overnight walking segments.

SMRT Trains president Lam Sheau Kai said in response to queries from The Straits Times that it was special to see the MRT lines turned into walking routes.

“From the flag-off to cheering them on as they completed the challenge, it’s been wonderful seeing our network become more than a way to get around. It can also be a way for people to make lasting memories together.”

The walkers remained in high spirits throughout the 27-hour event, despite rain showers, afternoon heat and the occasional blister or graze.

Kam and his team made several appeals before and during the walk for participants to prioritise their safety and comfort over completing the trek.

“There’s no pressure to walk the entire journey,” he said, urging participants to come and go as needed, and to take the train to stations farther ahead on the route rather than continue walking.

Personal trainer Tim Lye, 30, did most of the route in cosplay as Inosuke Hashibira from the popular Japanese anime Demon Slayer. He wore a fake boar’s head, blue contact lenses and baggy hakama pants, and carried a fake sword.

It was his first time joining the MRT treks. “I’ve always been curious about walking the MRT routes, but I didn’t have an excuse to do it before,” he told ST.

Kam said Sidequests Central will return with a “season 2” of open events to help people make new friends. Besides the MRT walks, his team organised a meet-up at Marina Barrage on Oct 8 to play duck, duck, goose, and a costume contest on Oct 30.

He told ST: “We’re going to keep doing more things to inspire Singaporeans to break cultural norms and make cool a** memories.”

On his Telegram channel and social media, people have urged him to walk the LRT routes next. “No, I actually hate walking,” he said.