Olympian Jenny Simpson returns to the C Tolle Run Podcast! This time she is joined by her husband, Jason Simpson, a fellow competitive runner. Following Jenny’s remarkable professional running career, the couple hit the road with their two dogs in an RV to embark on a cross-country adventure they call The Run U.S.A. Tour. Their mission? To connect with and celebrate the American running community that has supported Jenny throughout her career. In this episode, Jenny and Jason share candid stories from their journey: the highs, the lows, the surprises, and the unforgettable moments they’ve experienced along the way.
Aired: September 18, 2025
Jenny Simpson
Bio courtesy Colorado Buffaloes
Three-time Olympian Jenny (Barringer) Simpson, who continues to train with Mark Wetmore and Heather Burroughs at CU, will serve as a volunteer assistant with the Buffs for her 10th year.
One of the most accomplished U.S. middle distance runners, she has competed in five world championships and three Olympic Games; medaling in four of those in the 1,500-meter run. Simpson earned her first medal, a gold, at the 2011 IAAF World Championships. In doing so, she became the first American since former Buff Mary Decker Slaney, to win the event.
At the 2013 world championship, she narrowly missed defending her title as she finished second overall to earn the silver. The 2014 season saw more success as Simpson won the IAAF Diamond League 1,500-meter crown and earned the No. 1 ranking in the event.
In 2016, Simpson won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Rio, becoming the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in the event. She kept the momentum going into 2017 as she won a silver at the world championships.
Easily one of the most decorated athletes ever at CU, Simpson won four NCAA Championships, three in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and one indoor 3,000. She also broke six NCAA records and seven CU records in 2009 (six which still stand) en route to being named the first female recipient of the USTFCCCA’s The Bowerman Award, which is given to the top male and female collegiate track and field athlete of the year.
Simpson also performed well at the national and world level while competing for the Buffs. She made two world teams and qualified for the 2008 Olympics in the steeplechase. After graduating from CU, Simpson signed with New Balance and switched gears from the steeplechase to the 1,500. She has won nine USA track championships, four indoor and five outdoor – in five different events: 1,500, mile, 3,000, 3,000-meter steeplechase and the 5,000.
Simpson graduated from CU in 2009 with degrees in Political Science and Economics. She is married to Jason Simpson and the couple calls Boulder home.
Jason Simpson
Jason qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials with an impressive 2:18:44 finish at the 2018 California International Marathon. Before launching the RUN USA Tour, he was the Creative Director at a design firm. Now, he’s embracing life on the road with Jenny and their dogs, touring the country in an RV, running in every state, and chasing new adventures one mile at a time.
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