The time of her life

Press, 6 May 1980, Page 3

The time of her life

With a look of sheer determination, Jessie Pickering (picture on left) strides out by the river.

Note the absence of stylish running shoes and shorts. Everyday lowheeled shoes, a skirt, and a string of beads work just as well for Mrs Pickering, at 91 the oldest funrun enthusiast in New Zealand. “I’ve never been one for this . . .” she said, demonstrating the arm-swinging style adopted by younger runners. “1 think young runners get exhausted because they don’t do it gently.” Slow and steady was the style adopted by Mrs Pickering for “The Press” Park to Park run on Sunday. She stood up straight, and walked at a quick clip with her hands behind her back.

Keeping the arms still is her secret She says it saves wear and tear on the heart, and She boasts that she was not as tired as her 60-year-old son, Arthur, at the end of the run on Sunday. Her husband George, who died 26 years ago, was “more of a sitter really” but the two went for long walks in the country, George could not be made to run, but Jessie was a keen starter when Arthur first suggested a few years ago that she take part in “The Press” run. She never doubted that she could do it, and now, five runs later, she feels entitled to hand out advice for younger people. “Don’t worry, don’t ride in cars and buses all the time, don’t move the arms, and don’t give up.” Too many people reach 60 or 70, sit down, and never try again, according to Mrs Pickering. “I think 60 is a shocking time for a man to give, up work, because really he’s at his best then, and for the next lew years after that.” “Really I’m surprised at what I can do,” Mrs Pickering giggles, and puts a hand over her mouth. She says she feels like a naughty old lady drawing attention to herself, but secretly she enjoys it. At 155 cm (about sft) Mrs Pickering says she always talks standing up, and that when she has an argument She stands on the hearth for added authority. She keeps a three-bedroom house in Beckenham, and tends her big garden herself. Every day she goes for a fast walk round the block, and walks into town to shop at least once a week.

Mrs Pickering has lived at 25 Birdwood Avenue since 1914, when there were only five houses in the street. She used to walk up to the top of Huntsbury Hill to care for soldiers in the hospital there. Today she sometimes walks to Princess Margaret Hospital to help the patients and give massages. Walking keeps her out of trouble. She says she “never got the hang” of bicycles, and could not keep her balance. “I would have been drowned in the river a long time ago if you let me on one of those.”

Going outside for a photograph, Mrs Pickering round a bunch of freshly picked dahlias lying on the back doorstep. “You’ve got an admirer,” said a friend. Mrs Pickering giggled in delight. A grandmother of six, she is what you could call a “character.”

“I’ll be here next year,” she says.