While some Singaporeans are choosing to stick to home workouts in this pandemic, Zoe Tay’s been keeping fit by going hiking.

Thanks to Zoe's many IG Stories documenting her hikes with her celeb pals, we now know that her favourite trail is MacRitchie Reservoir.

However, Ah Jie switched up her usual routine this week when she joined CNA journalists Matthew Mohan and Gaya Chandramohan on their quest to walk 110KM around Singapore on foot in five days.

On Wednesday (Oct 14), the 52-year-old star surprised the journos on the morning of the third day of their expedition.

“You all not tired ah?” the affable Ah Jie said to them as they departed from Changi City Point at around 7.20am. Their goal for the day: To conquer Simei, Tampines, Pasir Ris, Coney Island and Rower’s Bay.

It was all smooth, um, walking until they reached Pasir Ris Park, where it started raining and the group had to stop for a while.

“I left Pasir Ris slightly before 11am,” Zoe told 8days.sg over the phone. “I was supposed to join them until Coney Island but my schedule was tight so I had to leave after waiting out the rain at Pasir Ris.” By then, she had conquered 10KM in over three hours.

As Zoe’s standard hike at MacRitchie Reservoir is usually 11km, she admitted that this walk was “pretty easy”.

“It was a slow and comfortable pace. I usually walk faster during my hikes!” she chirped. “Even so, my legs still feel very sore and my muscles are tired. I can’t imagine how tough it must’ve been for the reporters who have to walk for five days straight. It’s very draining.”

Zoe then revealed that, apart from walking, Matthew and Gaya had to carry five days’ worth of clothes with them as they would check into a hotel near wherever they completed their route for the day. Which was a surprise for the actress.

“I thought they’d go to the office to do their jobs first and then continue their journey after that!” she laughed.

When we asked the mother-of-three why she wanted to join the reporters on their walk, she excitedly shared that she has been keeping tabs on their progress and thought that it would be “fun” to accompany them.

“I was very excited and wanted to join after seeing their posts. So I took a screenshot and sent it to my manager to see if there was a chance that I could join them,” enthused Zoe . “After seeing their plans, I changed my mind ‘cos I didn’t know how long it would take to walk such a far distance.”

But the hiker in her wouldn’t stop thinking about it. So she changed her mind again a day later and told CNA that she was definitely coming.

“I asked CNA about the time it took for them to complete the course each day, and it was about 12 hours!” Zoe exclaimed. “I was very keen but I don’t think I have the energy to go on for 12 hours… But they invited me anyway and welcomed me to join in at any time of their walk — even if it was only for half a day.”

Ah Jie added that she was “totally not familiar” with the heartlands and that she was just “following” Matthew and Gaya.

“I always get confused with that part of Singapore,” she chuckled. “I always get lost in the East, even when I’m driving. But it’s been an experience. I didn’t know Pasir Ris park has a maze. I mean, I’ve been there to film before but I didn’t get to explore much. I also haven’t been to Coney Island, so I regret not following them throughout.”

Despite being sore all over after the walk, Zoe insisted that she would be able to complete the 110km journey if given the chance.

“I think I can do it! But I will be very, very tired! I think it is tougher on the journos as they constantly have to post updates, write about their day, as well as film and edit videos,” she said.

Photos: Zoe Tay/Instagram, CNA