Fleet Feet, franchisor of locally owned and operated running specialty stores nationwide, has hired Jenny Simpson as its first chief running officer.
Simpson is a lifelong runner, was the first female high school athlete to win the Foot Locker South Regional twice (now the Brooks XC Championships, presented by Fleet Feet). Simpson was also a team runner at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she earned four NCAA championships.
In 2016, Simpson became the first American female to win an Olympic bronze in the 1,500 meters. Her medals also include gold at the 2011 World Championships, the first U.S. victory in the distance since 1983 and a silver at the World Championships in 2013 and 2017 in the 1,500 meters.
Simpson’s 20-year professional running career ended following the 2024 New York City Marathon, launching the beginning of her “Run USA” road trip, where she and her husband toured all 50 states sharing their passion for running with local communities nationwide.
“My love for local running communities cannot be overstated,” said Simpson. “A local running store is where I bought my first running shoes, was introduced to road racing and found my best friends. The running community supported me for over two decades as I chased my Olympic dreams. After hanging up my competitive racing shoes, I spent a year on the road, logging miles with running communities in all 50 states. I simply love runners, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have found a home at Fleet Feet where I can remain connected and serve these communities across the country.”
As chief running officer, Simpson “will serve as a national spokesperson for Fleet Feet, working closely with brand partners to better leverage athletes and shared resources, shaping Fleet Feet’s training programs and evaluating new technologies offered to customers. She will also support stores and coaches nationwide by providing athlete-led insight and advancing community-driven program development at scale,” said Fleet Feet in a media release.
Looking ahead, “Simpson will help Fleet Feet expand into broader wellness leadership, including recovery, nutrition, sleep and other areas that support healthier living. Her work will primarily focus on increasing participation, deepening engagement and helping more people live active, healthy lives,” continued Fleet Feet.
“I’ve known Jenny for more than a decade, from the peak of her competitive career to the thoughtful, purpose-driven leader she is today, and I’ve watched her grow both as an athlete and a person,” said Joey Pointer, CEO, Fleet Feet. “As more people seek trusted guidance, connection, and inspiration on how to run and live well, now is the right time for Fleet Feet to deepen its leadership beyond retail and training. Fleet Feet is uniquely positioned to be the platform that elevates the work Jenny wants to do next, combining community reach, credibility and impact at a national scale. Her rare ability to connect authentically with everyone from children to large audiences makes this role both timely and deeply significant for the future of Fleet Feet.”
Images courtesy Fleet Feet
