Olympian Jenny Simpson Collapses
Olympian Jenny Simpson Collapses at Raleigh Pacing Event, Hospitalized After Requiring CPR
Key Points
Sir Walter Running co-founder Pat Price told the outlet that Simpson “was without a pulse for a period of time, but she was alive and in the hospital.”
Before turning pro, Simpson had a dominant NCAA career at the University of Colorado, setting “six NCAA records” and winning “four national championships,” according to Runner’s World.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sir Walter Running posted on Instagram that Simpson would be available to meet attendees at the event.
After retirement, Simpson and her husband Jason reportedly spent much of 2025 touring the U.S. in a Winnebago Ekko motorhome, running races and meeting local runners in “all 50 states,” per Runner’s World.
Three-time Olympian Jenny Simpson collapsed on a Raleigh, North Carolina track Tuesday night while pacing a mile group at a community running event. She had no pulse for a period of time and required CPR and a defibrillator before being rushed to a local hospital, according to Reuters.
Sir Walter Running co-founder Pat Price confirmed to LetsRun that Simpson was "without a pulse for a period of time, but she was alive and in the hospital." The 39-year-old former 1,500-meter world champion retired from professional racing after the 2024 season and was attending the event as a featured guest pacer.
Bystanders and AED Likely Saved Simpson's Life
The collapse happened around 8:30 PM ET at Williams Stadium during the Sir Walter Miler Pop Up Miles event. Bystanders moved immediately. They started CPR and used an Automated External Defibrillator — a device that delivers an electric shock to restart the heart — to restore Simpson's pulse, according to NBC News.
EMS transported Simpson to a local hospital by roughly 9:30 PM. Sir Walter Running released an official statement the next morning, thanking "the individuals who responded immediately" and saying Simpson was "receiving excellent medical care." Her family asked for prayers and privacy. No official diagnosis has been released, but the use of an AED points to sudden cardiac arrest as the likely cause.
Simpson's Career: America's Greatest 1,500-Meter Runner
Simpson is the most decorated American woman in the 1,500 meters. She won gold at the 2011 World Championships, silver medals in 2013 and 2017, and a historic bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics — the first American woman ever to medal in that event at the Games. Her personal best of 3:57.22, set in Paris in 2014, made her the third-fastest American woman in the event's history.
Before turning pro, Simpson built a dominant college career at the University of Colorado. She set six NCAA records and won four national championships, according to Runner's World. She won 11 U.S. national titles over her career and competed at the Olympics in 2012, 2016, and 2020.
From Winnebago Road Trip to Fleet Feet Executive
After retiring following the 2024 season, Simpson did not slow down. She and her husband Jason spent much of 2025 traveling the U.S. in a Winnebago Ekko motorhome, running races and meeting local runners in all 50 states — covering roughly 36,000 miles in what they called their "Run USA" tour, according to Runner's World.
In February 2026, she took on a new role as Chief Running Officer at Fleet Feet, the national running retailer. Fleet Feet CEO Joey Pointer called her a "purpose-driven leader." She also worked as an analyst for FloTrack. Earlier Tuesday, Sir Walter Running had posted on Instagram that Simpson would be available to meet attendees at the event — just hours before the collapse.
Incident Sparks Debate Over Safety at Community Events
Simpson's survival is being credited to fast action by bystanders and the on-site availability of an AED. NBC News reported that the running community has rallied behind her, with USATF and Olympic teammates sharing public support. Medical commentators noted that even elite endurance athletes can have hidden heart conditions that may surface years after high-intensity competition.
The incident is expected to prompt a review of safety protocols at small-scale community track events. Unlike major marathons, informal "pop-up" events rarely have dedicated medical staff on site. Simpson's case may become a reference point for AED access and CPR training at grassroots running events across the country.
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