Retired American track and field star Jenny Simpson is out of the hospital after experiencing a life-threatening cardiac arrest at a community running event in Raleigh, North Carolina earlier this month.
The 39-year-old was serving as a pacer for a mile group at a community track event organized by Sir Walter Running when she suddenly collapsed. Bystanders immediately stepped in to perform CPR until emergency responders arrived.
Her employer, Fleet Feet, announced the news on Instagram Friday, saying: “We’re grateful to share that Fleet Feet Chief Running Officer Jenny Simpson has been discharged from Duke University Hospital and will continue her recovery in North Carolina following the medical emergency she experienced during the Sir Walter Running Pop Up Mile event on June 17.”
Fleet Feet’s statement went on to describe the sequence of events: “During the event, Jenny suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and received immediate lifesaving care, including CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), before being transported to UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh. She was later transferred to Duke University Hospital.”
Simpson had a decorated career in competitive distance running. She captured gold in the 1,500 meters at the 2011 World Championships, followed by silver medals at the 2013 and 2017 World Championships, and a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She stepped away from competitive running in 2024.
