Frequently asked questions: Based on real questions sent in by readers.
If you’ve got a question that’s not answered here, please leave us a comment (at the bottom of the page) and we will revert back to you. Thank you!
Please select a topic:
| Taking part: Registration | Turning up on the actual day | Goodie bags |
Registration
Q: I didn’t manage to sign up for the Big Walk. Is registration still open?
A: Our sincere apologies. We are inviting just 20,000 walkers to join us this year, and registration closed when we reached 20,000 walkers on 12 Oct (Sunday), 11.30am.
Turning up on the actual day
Q: What time and where do I come for the Big Walk?
A: Big Walkers are advised to arrive between 6am and 7am for the Flag-off at 7.30am. Please assemble at the Suntec City Fountain of Wealth. Give yourself enough time to reach the venue and to warm-up before the walk.
Q: How do I get to Suntec, if some roads will be closed for the Big Walk?
A: All Big Walkers are advised to take public transport to Suntec City Mall, as high traffic is expected due to road and lane closures for the Big Walk.
- By MRT: City Hall MRT
- By bus: Please note that due to road closures, buses into Suntec have been diverted. Please refer to SBS Transit website and SMRT website to check details.
- By taxi or drop off: Please note that due to road and lane closures, heavy traffic is expected on Temasek Blvd, outside Conrad. Big Walkers coming by taxi are advised not to alight or drive through there. You are advised to alight at the Suntec City taxi stand, opposite Marina Mandarin hotel.
- For drivers, please expect congestion and jams. There are several parking options: 1) Suntec City Mall. You are advised to enter the carpark via Raffles Blvd to Temasek Blvd, Suntec Convention Singapore. Alternatively, you may use the carpark entrance is via Carrefour. You are advised to park at Basement 1 Blue and Green zone; or B2 any colur zone. 2) Alternatively, you could park at Millenia Walk or Marina Square.
Q: What happens if I’m late? Will I be barred from joining the walk?
A: Please do try to arrive on time as we are walking on roads during the Big Walk. These roads will closed temporarily, specially for the Big Walk. To minimise traffic disruption, the arrangement is for roads and lanes to re-open as soon as the “last man” passes. So if you arrive after the last man has passed and the road has already re-opened, you will not be able to join the walk. It’s not that we want to “bar” you, it’s just that the road will not longer be open to pedestrians.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Most importantly – comfortable running shoes for a 5km walk. You can wear any attire you feel comfortable in. Or, you can even come a fun costume if you would like to take part in our Fancy Dress Contest, and stand to win up to $500 in prizes.
Q: What happens if it rains? Will the Big Walk be cancelled?
A: The Big Walk is an all-weather event, as with previous years. We will be distributing 20,000 free rain ponchos for all participants at the start of the Big Walk on Sunday 2 November, whether or not it rains.
Q: Will there be water provided?
A: There will be a water point at the Marina Barrage, at the end of the 5km walk (estimated completion time: 1.5 hours). There will not be water points along the route as it is relatively shorter this year. So if you feel you will get thirsty before reaching the Marina Barrage, please do bring sufficient water along the route.
Goodie bags
Q: Are we getting a T-shirt in this year’s goodie bag?
A: No, there will no T-shirt for participants this year. But for this year’s event, which is free for the first time in Big Walk history, you will be getting 2 goodie bags: 1 from NTUC FairPrice, and 1 from Suntec City Mall. Click here to see what’s inside the goodie bags.
Q: How come I heard that some of my friends / colleagues are collecting T-shirts for the Big Walk?
A: This year’s Big Walk presenter, NTUC FairPrice, conducted a separate registration for its staff, partners, and members of affiliated organizations under the NTUC umbrella. NTUC FairPrice has specially printed its own T-shirt for those who signed up under its contingent.
Q: When do we collect the goodie bags? Will we have to carry the goodie bags and walk 5km?
A: No. You will collect the NTUC FairPrice goodie bag at the Marina Barrage, after you’ve completed the walk. Then, when you leave the Barrage and arrive at Suntec City Mall via free shuttle buses, you will receive your second goodie bag, from Suntec.
For motorists
Q: I need to be at Suntec / my office near the area in the morning. Which roads are closed and for how long?
A: Please click here to see the list of road closures. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Q: I live in one of the condos in Tanjong Rhu that Big Walkers are passing by. How do I drive in or out of my house if the roads are closed?
A: We will be only partially closing the roads and exercising controlled traffic in front of condos in the Tanjong Rhu area we are passing. We will be giving priority to residents – if a resident wishes to drive out of his/her condo, marshalls will be positioned in front of the condo to temporarily stop the flow of Big Walkers, to allow the car to enter / exit.
Transport back to Suntec from Marina Barrage
Q: What time does the first and last bus back to Suntec leave?
A: Buses will depart continuously from Marina Barrage to Suntec City from 9am to 1pm.
Q: What happens if I don’t want to take the shuttle bus? Can I walk back to Suntec?
A: The free shuttle buses are for our Walkers’ convenience to return to Suntec. If you are familiar with an alternative walking route you wish to take back to Suntec, please feel free to do so. But please do note there is heavy construction happening at the Marina South area, so please mind your own safety if you wish to walk in that area.
Please also note that during the Big Walk, we will be closing roads / lanes specially for the event. These will be re-opened once the “last man” of the 20,000 pass, so as to minimize traffic disruption. This also means that when you return from the Marina Barrage to Suntec City, the exact same route will not be accessible, as the roads would have already re-opened.
End time
Q: What time will the event finish? I noticed the timing stated for Big Walk is from 7.30am to 1pm on 2 Nov 08. As my family has an appointment at 1pm on the same day. Are we allowed to leave prior to the official dismissal?
A: Our event runs from 7.30am to 1pm. But what time each Big Walker finishes is up to the individual. The participants will be flagged off at 7.30am. The estimated average time of the Walkers to leisurely finish 5km (bearing in mind bottle-necking) is about 1 hour 30 minutes: about 9am. The schedule once you reach the Marina Barrage is free and easy – You could leave at any time you wish, or you could stay and see the exhibits and the Barrage, or picnic on the rooftop green garden overlooking the water and the city. Free shuttle buses will send Big Walkers back to Suntec City Mall starting from 9am, and ending at 1pm.
But please do note:
- Since the crowd is large (20,000), do give time allowance for queues for the bus.
- There is a 2nd goodie bag collection point at Suntec City Mall once you alight from the bus, to collect the Suntec Goodie Bag (the goodie bag you will collect at the Marina Barrage is the NTUC FairPrice one). So please give a time allowance for this as well.
- At the Suntec City Mall, there will be a post-walk carnival, in case you would like to see this as well.
Babies and strollers
Q: Can I bring a stroller for my son who is 2 years old to the Big Walk? Is the route convenient for the baby stroller? Any stairs? Please advise.
A: 1) There will be a very small number of steps along the route – but they are not staircases, more like one step (1-2m distance) then another step.
2) More importantly, there is a final 900m stretch where we are walking on an unpaved trail to finish at the Marina Barrage. The reason we are taking this route is because, while the Barrage itself is completed, the area directly around it is still under heavy construction. There is a picture of this 900m stretch in the Route section of this website.
3) After finishing the route, we have free shuttle buses to bring all participants back from Marina Barrage to Suntec City Mall.
So if you bring a stroller, please do try to make sure it is foldable, so that when you reach these 3 areas/get on the bus, you will be able to take care of the child and manage the stroller. It would be best if there is another adult with your party to help you.
Apologies that this year’s route is not as friendly for strollers as previous years, due to the change in location (as the National Stadium was due to be demolished). We do hope that you find the Marina Barrage as impressive as we do, to make up for the inconvenience!
Wheelchairs
Q: I am on a wheelchair. Will I be able to participate in the Big Walk?
A: We are sorry, but the route for this year’s Big Walk is not wheelchair-friendly. There will be a long stretch of the route (about 900m) where participants will walk on an unpaved trail. There is a picture of this 900m stretch in the Route section of this website. Even though the Marina Barrage itself is completed, the area directly around it is still under heavy construction. There is also a very small number of steps along the way. Our sincere apologies.
Pets
Q: I want to bring my pet dog. Can I do so?
A: Unlike previous years, this year’s Big Walk is a one-way walk, with shuttle buses bringing walkers back from Marina Barrage to Suntec City Mall.
So please avoid bringing pets or bulky items that will be difficult for you to carry on the buses. Also, without an enclosed pet carrying case, your pet will not be allowed on the buses.
This is for the consideration of other Big Walkers.
Other questions
Q: May I ask if taking photographs of this Big Walk is allowed for either personal or commercial use? Who will get all the photo rights for this event?
A: Yes, you are definitely welcome to take pictures during the Big Walk! We are not placing any restrictions on photo taking, nor the rights to the pictures which you take.
October 22, 2008 at 2:09 pm |
HI,
Since I’ve missed the registration and will not be an official participant, can I still do the walk ?
October 22, 2008 at 9:57 pm |
what if it rains (heavily) before the walk starts ?
What if it rains (heavily) at 6.30 am , should we leave home or not to the mtg point , and ended up that it being cancelled.
what if it rains (heavily)during the walk itself .
It there a shelter at the Barrage for 20,000 people?
October 23, 2008 at 12:39 am |
Hello there,
Can an unregistered walker take part as well?
October 23, 2008 at 8:05 pm |
For those who do not get to register, can we still join in the crowd??
October 24, 2008 at 2:40 pm |
Wear our t-shirt?
October 24, 2008 at 6:28 pm |
1. Is there any map showing this walk?
Because we have 10 families members taking part in this walk
and in case we lost each other at the destination at least
with the map I able to brief them where to meet.
2. Must we bring along any bags or carrier to collect all this goodies?
October 25, 2008 at 8:05 pm |
Any advice to walkers who are driving there? Where to park?
October 26, 2008 at 5:46 pm |
What if there was a heavy downpour during our walk?
October 26, 2008 at 10:57 pm |
Where can I park my car? Any Advice
October 27, 2008 at 8:21 pm |
Sir/Madam
We have registered for 2 persons in this walk but can we bring children who are not registered along?
Thanks.
October 27, 2008 at 8:26 pm |
For motorist, where the nearest parking lots available?
October 28, 2008 at 10:43 am |
Are there any seats for some peoples who may be tired to sit and rest for few minutes? Can we collect a number to collect the goodies bag while we can sit down with our group to eat and drink(PICNIC) to wait for our turn RATHER then STANDING in a long QUEUE? I can help you to distribute the number to all who had completed the walk volunteerly when I completed the walk if you need my help. We can use the number to broad the bus rather then queue standind up. When one miss the number then one has to queue for the next group. I hope that I will not be reward to queue in 2 long standing queue finally.
October 28, 2008 at 10:56 am |
Thank you for organise such an occasion. Your effort and brilliant idea is greatly appreciated. My suggestion may not be useful but just a little thought. May be can make some people very happy. Thank you are two easy words but the good memories will be REMEMBERED FOREVER and NEVER can be CHANGE. This is a contnuation from a previous e-mail.
October 28, 2008 at 8:44 pm |
Hi, As Nicoll Highway will be closed, could you advised if buses such as 10 and 70 will be diverted. If yes, could you provide the routes that they are diverted, so that I know if I could catch the buses and get off at the diverted route to head to Suntec. Thanks. CK
October 28, 2008 at 10:17 pm |
- Is there a specific registration point at Suntec?
- My family of 4 is taking part but I have lost one sticker and one visor is torn (by my little brats). Can we still take part?
October 29, 2008 at 12:00 pm |
Hi, I did a registration @ Suntec City on the last 2nd day, and i was only given 3 things without the goodie coupon. So how m i going to redeem the goodie bag on the day itself ?
October 29, 2008 at 1:29 pm |
Can i bring along my maid that i didn’t manage to register for the walk?
October 30, 2008 at 2:17 pm |
Can i collect the goodies bag on my friend behalf? She might need to go off early halfway thru the walk. We had registered and the coupons for the goodies bag. Can i take her coupons and collect on behalf together?How many goodies are 1 person allow to collect on behalf?
October 30, 2008 at 2:28 pm |
when will be the next Walk for 2009?
October 30, 2008 at 3:15 pm |
Public can join in the walk?
October 31, 2008 at 10:17 am |
I have already sign up for the Big Walk, but I have friends that did not sign up can they just join in the walk together with us?
October 31, 2008 at 2:49 pm |
hi, i didnt register for the big walk. can i still go?
October 31, 2008 at 3:53 pm |
what if i sign up and did not get a number tag?…or they will give us when we arrive??
October 31, 2008 at 8:02 pm |
Are fun walkers allowed to join? Will transport be provided for fun walkers back to Suntec?
November 14, 2008 at 6:40 pm |
I LIKE TO BRING TO YR ATTN THAT IN THE 1ST GOODIE BAG, FLWG ITEMS ARE NOT INSIDE, AFTER I DOUBLECHK WITH YR WEBSITE. ARE MISSING ITEMS NOT TO BE INCLUDE IN BAG OR IT SOMEHOW GONE ASTRAY OR NOT DISTRIBUTED. CAN THE AUTHORITIES ANSWER?
TISSUE PACKET
FISHERMAN LOZENGES
30ML LIFEBUOY BODY WASH
25ML REXONA ROLL-ON
PUB PURE MAGAZINE
500ML PURE WATER
NEWATER – ONLY UPON REQUEST FR STAFF.