Guernsey Athletics Club has paid tribute to Penny Hutchinson, after the “multiple Island Games medallist” died at the age of 58.
Mrs Hutchinson (née Buckingam) died “peacefully at home on Thursday 22 May”, announced her family.
A celebration of life is planned for the future, with her athletics achievements likely to be highlighted.
Mrs Hutchinson dominated Guernsey’s long distance running competitions during the 1990s and early 00s.
Guernsey Athletics’ stalwart, Paul Ingrouille was among those who have paid personal tribute to her – sharing the news of her death “with sadness”, as he informed other members of the Islands Games athletics community.
“Penny competed at a high level within Guernsey athletics and represented the island at both Island Games and Commonwealth Games,” he wrote.
“In the 1995 Gibraltar Island Games she was a convincing winner over 10,000m before racing to silver over the Half Marathon. She reversed the feat at Guernsey’s home games eight years later where her 10,000m silver was topped off with a Half Marathon victory on the final day. In all Penny competed in every Island Games from 1995-2003 and won 9 individual medals.”
As well as representing Guernsey at the Island Games, she shone at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, where she ran her marathon personal best of 2:58:40.
Mrs Hutchinson was the first Guernsey woman to break 3 hours for the distance.
Her name still features on the island’s ‘All-time rankings’ with her PBs in the 10k, half marathon, marathon, ‘Liberation 7’, and the cross country ‘full course’ all remaining among the best ever performances by a Guernsey athlete.
Mrs Hutchinson’s 2:58:40 at the Manchester Commonwealth Games marathon is the 5th fastest ever run by a Guernsey woman.
Her other PBs (also listed under Penny Buckingham) include 83:53 for the half marathon, 37:32 for the 10k, 42:17 for the Liberation 7, and 29:28 for the full course.