83-year-old mental health advocate plans to keep running marathons

ABC NEWS (Australia)

83-year-old Nancy Dickman is putting many of us to shame, still running marathons in her ninth decade. She was the oldest competitor in the Sydney Marathon in 2023 and is now preparing for her next one. Running has had such a positive impact on her physical and mental health. She's even done a PhD on the subject.

Transcript

00:00Being the oldest participant in running events is nothing new for Nancy Dickman,

00:11whether it's at the local park or the Sydney Marathon.

00:14A sense of achievement, testing yourself, it makes you feel good.

00:19From London to New York and Rome, she's run 15 marathons all up,

00:24including one to celebrate each of her milestone birthdays since the age of 40.

00:30I did the Rome for 70. I did the Sydney one at 80.

00:33For Nancy, the benefits of running aren't just physical.

00:37If you're anxious, go for a run. If you're feeling a bit depressed, go for a run.

00:42If you want to think about something, work out some problems, go for a run.

00:47She's even published a PhD on the effect exercise has on older women's self-concept.

00:53Well, I'd like to sort of research that and perhaps influence government policy

01:00that exercise would be promoted not just for physical wellbeing but mental wellbeing.

01:06Nancy is a regular at her local park run here in Lake Macquarie.

01:11She's also the most senior female participant

01:14and is inspiring those around her to continue putting one foot in front of the other.

01:19Running along, you see the young kids just looking at her in awe.

01:22She's old enough to be their great-grandmother in many cases

01:26and she's running past them and enjoying it.

01:29I want to continue. Park run of a Saturday.

01:32And if I can't, I can't. I can walk maybe.

01:35And what about another marathon?

01:37To answer your question, I'm hoping to stay fit enough to do one at 90.

01:43But that's a big ask because a lot of years between now and then.

01:4883 years young and still racing ahead.

01:52What's going on?

01:53You can't get to be the young equally, just like your first half.

01:55You can't do that.

01:56You can't engage your friends.

01:57I'll see you next time.

01:58You're coming out of some notes.

01:59But stop for the next hour.

02:00You can get a little longer here.

02:01You can take your help.

02:02Don't hit the steps.

02:03You can take your feelings.

02:04You can't take your feelings.

02:05You can take your friends.

02:06You can take your hands away.

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