All Black' last hurrah
BILL Jenkinson has the full set of Masters Games medals but may add another honour when the 29th edition starts in Dunedin in February.
So far, the sprightly 92yearold is the oldest registered competitor.
The Otago Daily Timessponsored event is accepting earlybird registrations before November 30 and the veteran walker is back to, hopefully, add another medal to his collection.
He already has a gold, silver and bronze in the 5km walk from previous Games and is hoping to dip under 50 minutes.
‘‘I like to walk at speed and if I see anyone in front of me I’ve got to pass them,’’ he said.
‘‘I’ve always been like that. And now I’m getting older it is getting more difficult.’’
You certainly would not guess Jenkinson was in his
10th decade. He is a very fitlooking gentleman and still maintains a large garden at his home in Broad Bay.
‘‘I walk every day except on my shopping day,’’ he said.
Locals will have spotted him strolling along the walkway between Company Bay and Macandrew Bay. It is his favourite spot to walk but he occasionally walks from Broad Bay to Macandrew Bay and catches the bus home.
A Yorkshireman, Jenkinson was born in 1925 and emigrated to New Zealand in 1950.
He worked as a watchmaker until 1985 and then as a guide and a trainer at the Royal Albatross Centre for another 15 years.
‘‘I’ve always been a walker and I thought 5km looks like a piece of cake. Then you start it, of course, and it is different.
‘‘If I can go under 50 minutes, then I’ll have a chance. I’m walking under that at the moment.’’
The last Masters Games in Dunedin attracted about 4500 competitors and organisers are targeting 5000 in 2018. There are 63 events, so there is something for everyone.
The emphasis is on participation and having fun, but there are also some very competitive events.