Olympic middle-distance star Jenny Simpson collapsed after pacing a mile group at the Sir Walter Pop Up Miles event in Raleigh on Tuesday night. She was without a pulse until CPR and an AED were used, and organizers said she was receiving excellent care as of
Jenny Simpson went down after pacing a mile group at the Sir Walter Pop Up Miles event in Raleigh, North Carolina—then the night turned into an urgent medical response.
The Olympic medalist, 39, reportedly was without a pulse until CPR and an automated external defibrillator, or AED, were used. She was still receiving care in the hospital as of Wednesday morning, with no further updates provided since then.
Pop Up Miles event organizers posted a statement on social media Wednesday morning. thanking the people who responded immediately and the EMS and medical professionals who handled the situation. “Friends, last night, there was a medical incident involving Jenny Simpson at the Pop Up Miles event. We are incredibly grateful to the individuals who responded immediately. as well as EMS and the medical professionals who handled the situation with such care. urgency. and professionalism. ” the statement said. “Jenny is receiving excellent medical care, and our thoughts are with her and her family during this time. We are also thankful to everyone who has reached out with concern and support. We ask that you continue to keep Jenny and her family in your prayers as we all hope for the very best.”.
Simpson’s collapse has landed at a moment when she had stayed deeply present in the sport after retirement. Her resume as an 1. 500-meter runner includes multiple all-time collegiate records at the University of Colorado. four NCAA championship wins. and the 1. 500-meter record of 3:59.90. She has four global championship medals overall—an Olympic bronze medal from the 2016 Rio Games and World Championship gold in 2011.
She retired from professional running after the 2024 New York City Marathon. Rather than stepping away fully, Simpson moved into leadership and broadcasting roles, becoming Fleet Feet’s first Chief Running Officer in February and joining FloTrack’s broadcast team a few months later.
FloTrack General Manager Ryan Fenton said Simpson had become part of the company’s core team. “Jenny has been a cherished friend to so many of us in the running community for years. and more recently became an invaluable member of the FloTrack family. ” he said. “We join the entire running community in hoping for her strength and her recovery and are keeping her and her family in our thoughts and prayers.”.
As Simpson remains hospitalized following the incident at the Raleigh event on Tuesday night, the running community is left watching and waiting—holding on to the organizers’ message that she is receiving excellent medical care while hoping for continued recovery.
Jenny Simpson Raleigh Pop Up Miles Sir Walter Pop Up Miles hospitalization CPR AED Olympic medalist middle-distance running FloTrack Fleet Feet Ryan Fenton
That’s terrifying. Hope she’s okay.
Wait she was without a pulse?? That’s like worst case scenario. Why do these events always say “excellent care” but no details, smh.
So they used an AED and CPR… is that basically like a reset button or what? Idk I’m not trying to be dramatic but if she had no pulse that long it should’ve been way more serious. Probably dehydration or something from pacing a mile? Not a doctor.
This makes me think it was the pacing or the temperature or whatever at that pop up miles thing. Like why are athletes doing random event miles if they’re 39 and “collapsed” after a mile group?? I don’t know, people always say keep her in your prayers but then nothing comes out. Hope her family gets answers soon.