26 September 2007 By Graham Croker
Cris Penn, a personal trainer and fitness trainer for seniors at Sydney University Sports and Aquatic Centre, has won a silver medal at the 17th World Masters Track and Field Championships, being held at Riccionne, Italy.
Penn was a member of the Australian 4X100m relay team that finished second in the Women’s 40 (W40) final. Excellent baton changes between Janet Naylon, Marie Kay, Penn and Roberta Thompson saw the Australians run the final in 52.70s, to finish just behind the Italian team of Rosa Marchi, Giuseppina Perlino, Susanna Tellini and Marta Roccamo, who won the gold medal in a time of 50.58s.
The German team of Birgitta Fieger, Susanne Schmidt, Kornelia Wrzesniok and Urte Zinke won the bronze in 54.39s.
Penn also finished 9th in the 800m, where she was bumped, pushed and spiked; 15th in the 400m and 5th in the W35 4X400m.
Meanwhile, former Wallaby centre John “Sparrow” Dowse, who also runs fitness classes for seniors at the Sports and Aquatic Centre, won a gold medal in the recent Bondi Icebergs State Championship M70 Swim.