85-year-old lady runs three hours every day, says men her age are old fogeys

French marathoner Ginette Bedard, 85, with some of her running medals and trophies at her home in Queens, New York. - AFP

For 85-year-old Ginette Bedard, staying on her feet has been an essential part of her long life, and it has kept the loneliness of her later years at bay.

When she runs her 16th New York City Marathon this Sunday (Nov 4), Bedard, who was born in France, will be the oldest woman in the field -- and perhaps one of the few to admit she doesn't mind indulging in a little wine, cheese and ice cream even in the run-up to race day.