Penny has been considered one of the all-time greats of Australian female distance running. She broke the Australian mile record twice, firstly in Vancouver and secondly in the famous Bislett Stadium at Oslo on the same night 27th July 1985. During her running career she successfully competed in race distances ranging from 1500 metres to 8 kilometres.
- Status: Pending1985Pacific Conference Games 1500 metres 3rd place (4:14.77)
- Status: Pending1986Commonwealth Games 1500 metres 7/16 Heat 3rd place (4:27.69) Final 7th place (4:17.13)
Beginnings
It was not until 1979 that Penny began jogging. As a new teacher it was important to regain some fitness and enjoy the obvious health benefits. A short time later she joined Randwick Botany Harriers.
When Penny transferred to Bankstown Sports Amateur Athletic Club for the season commencing, April 1982, she was basically a social runner. But, by 1983 Penny had been selected to represent New South Wales, to compete in the National Championships in Melbourne.
Achievements
Penny represented Australia at the Pacific Games and the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh whilst being a Member of the Bankstown Sports Amateur Athletic Club. In 1985 she won the national cross country in Sydney, an emotional moment for Penny on her home course at Bankstown in front of her home crowd. In 1986 she represented Australia in the World Cross Country.
Post Representation
In 1998 Penny was inducted into the National Running Week Hall Of Fame when she won the NRW tennis competition at Thredbo. Penny Just enjoyed considerable success in her sport without once every deviating from her unassuming beautiful nature. She is a ‘Role model' who will be revered for many years in Bankstown. (Jenny Barker, President, Bankstown Sports AAC)