Hundreds turned out as the Langley 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 Langley Walk held Sunday in Aldergrove pic.twitter.com/gXBgoEXqJY
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) May 4, 2025
Kevin Muirhead. special events manager for the Township of Langley, estimated about 500 people had registered for the annual event.
“The goal of the walk is just to increase community awareness and getting healthy people out and walking,” Muirhead remarked.
Langley City residents Doug and Donna Worrall were walking to honour the memory of their neighbour, Stan Brown, who passed away a month ago.
“He faithfully walked five miles a day at 75 years old," Doug said.
It was only Doug’s second time participating in the walk.
“I did the seventh annual walk in 1969, I think,” he recalled. “Plus, I was a volunteer here about 30 years ago.”
It was the first walk for Murrayville resident Garima Wilson and daughter Ishita.
“Just to get into fitness and participate in a community event,” Garima explained.
Township Mayor Eric Woodward described it as a “fabulous long-term tradition that's been going on for so many years, a great partnership between the Township of Langley and the City of Langley that we all cherish and enjoy so much."
Langley City Councillor Paul Albrecht would like to see the walks continue “for as long as we possibly can.”
“We've got a lot of people [taking part] that have been to each and every one of the walks,” Albrecht noted.
“Their vests show that they've got the badges to prove it, and they're proud of it.”
Also in attendance were City councillors Rosemary Wallace and Delaney Mack, with Township councillors Michael Pratt, Barb Martens and Tim Baillie along with Langley school trustees Sarb Rai and Tony Ward.
Launched in 1963, by Pete Swensson, the Township of Langley’s 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 Langley, drawing thousands in its early years.
This year’s 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.
