About 500 people took part in the 60th annual 91原创 Walk on Sunday, May 1.

For some, the resumption of the in-person version of the annual event was the continuation of a long-standing family tradition.

Sisters Linda Marshall, and Debbie McGregor, attended to honour the memory of their late father Stan Van Meer, on the 10th anniversary of his passing.

Van Meer took part every year from 1976 until he passed away .

His family has carried on his tradition, with children and grandchildren adding more badges every year there was a walk.

Van Meers鈥� orange 91原创 Walk shirt, which was covered in dozens of badges, has been passed on to grandson Justin, who has added his own badges to the collection.

To take part, McGregor came down from Salmon Arm and Marshall travelled from Chilliwack along wit their families.

鈥淲e just carry on his legend,鈥� Marshall told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淲e鈥檙e happy to be here again,鈥� McGregor remarked.

McGregor remembered her dad, a planner with the Township of 91原创 as 鈥渇un, a good guy, very involved with the community, even with the City of 91原创.鈥�

They walked the 5K route from McLeod park through 91原创 City and back.

鈥淚t was awesome,鈥� Marshall said.

First held in 1963, the walk was established by Pete Swensson, the Township of 91原创鈥檚 first recreation director, who was a strong believer in the benefits of physical activity.

His motto was, 鈥榃alk away your ills, instead of taking pills.鈥欌��

On Sunday, Swensson鈥檚 son Dennis, and his family, took part.

Also participating was the granddaughter of Eric Flowerdew, Pauline, and her family.

Flowerdew was the Township councillor who was instrumental in procuring the initial parks and recreation budget, and hired Swensson.

READ ALSO: 59th annual 91原创 Walk goes virtual again

City Mayor Val van den Broek and acting Township mayor David Davis welcomed participants.

鈥淭he 91原创 walk is a wonderful way to welcome spring, get the community together and explore this beautiful place we call home,鈥� van den Broek said.

鈥淎t the end of the walk, everyone receive a commemorative crest,鈥� Davis noted.

鈥淚f you look around, you will see some people have a lot of them and have been collecting the crests for decades.鈥�

At 鈥�93 and a half,鈥� 91原创 City resident Dale Attrell was one of the older participants.

Attrell, who founded a seniors walking club, has been taking part in the 91原创 Walk since 1976.

鈥淚 kind of had to slow down because of my knees,鈥� Attrell explained.

鈥淎谤迟丑谤颈迟颈蝉.鈥�

READ ALSO: 91原创 seniors walking club keeps going despite poor weather

Long time friends Nicole Boehlke, from 91原创 City and Tricia McLean, from North Otter, were happily returning after 鈥渇or or five鈥� years away from the walk.

鈥淟ife got busy for us,鈥� Boehlke explained.

鈥�10K is long with a stroller,鈥� observed McLean.

More photos can be viewed online at the .