World champion runner Jenny Simpson recently shared that a rare heart condition led to a cardiac arrest during a race in June, resulting in her decision to retire from running. In an Instagram announcement, the 39-year-old disclosed being diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), which caused dangerous heart rhythms leading to the cardiac event. The condition prohibits her from safely resuming her running career.
Expressing gratitude for her life, Simpson stated, “That chapter has ended, but thankfully, my story continues.” The incident occurred while she was supporting young runners in a mile race in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she collapsed and received CPR as well as defibrillation before being taken to the hospital for further treatment.
In reflecting on the experience, Simpson encouraged well-wishers to express joy at her survival rather than sympathy, emphasizing her gratitude for being alive. Known for her dominance in the women’s 1,500-meter category from 2007 to 2017, Simpson achieved significant success, including winning world championships in 2011, securing two second-place finishes, and claiming an Olympic bronze medal in Rio in 2016.
