World champion runner Jenny Simpson recently shared that she experienced cardiac arrest during a race in June due to a rare heart condition, leading her to retire from running. In an Instagram update, the 39-year-old disclosed her diagnosis of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), which resulted in dangerous heart rhythms causing her heart to stop. Simpson emphasized that returning to running would pose significant risks due to this condition.
Acknowledging the end of her running career, Simpson expressed gratitude for her life continuing beyond this chapter. The incident occurred while she was pacing young runners in a mile race in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she collapsed, prompting immediate CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator before being taken to the hospital for further treatment.
In her message, Simpson encouraged well-wishers to express joy that she survived rather than offering apologies or sympathy. Over a span of about ten years starting in 2007, Simpson dominated as America’s top women’s 1,500-meter runner, achieving notable victories at world championships and securing an Olympic bronze medal in Rio in 2016.