“It's been 20 unbelievable years” - Jenny Simpson pens an emotional note as she bids adieu to the sport after her final race at the NYC Marathon

Jenny Simpson has called time on her long and storied running career after competing for twenty years. She recently ran her last race at the New York City Marathon and took the time to reflect on her journey as an athlete after the event.

Simpson first rose to prominence back in 2007, when she was competing in the 3000m steeplechase and finished seventh at the World Championships. Since then, she's gone on to medal at multiple World Championships, and even an Olympic Games.

The American announced a few days before the New York City marathon that the race would be her last as a professional. Simpson finished 18th in a field of 20 elite runners in NYC, clocking a time of 2:31.54s. Taking to Instagram, Jenny Simpson wrote,

“I made my first USA team in 2004. It's been 20 unbelievable years. After I finished the marathon today I was trying to tell Jason about all the love I got on the course. 26.2 miles of almost nonstop love. So many people thanking me for my career and celebrating the last race with me. I couldn't get through telling him about it without bawling. I don't think any other city in the world would have given me love like you did, NYC. It was perfect to wrap it all up here with all of you. Thank you.”

“I feel so grateful, so tired from the race, and so lucky to have so many friends in the sport. Some of whom I don't even know!!! congratulations to the AMAZING athletes both ahead of and following me today. 54,000 of you!!! Wow, what a ride.”

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Jenny Simpson’s career highlights

Jenny Simpson was a promising runner from the days of her high school career, winning 5 state championships in track, and 3 in cross country. She then went on to dominate the collegiate circuit, winning the 2006 NCAA Outdoor Championship in the steeplechase.

Her collegiate career would also see her set NCAA records in the mile, 3000m, and 5000m indoors, 1500m, 3000m steeplechase, and 5000m outdoors.

On the international stage, Simpson's first big moment came in 2008, when she qualified for the steeplechase finals at the Beijing Olympics, running an American record of 9:22.26 to finish ninth. She would later go on to better her own record at the 2009 World Championships.

In 2011, the 38-year-old won gold at the World Championships in the 1500m, becoming the first American woman to achieve this feat in three decades. She later claimed silvers in the same event at the 2013 and 2017 World Championships. In 2016, Jenny Simpson claimed a bronze in the distance at the Rio Olympics. She was also the 1500m Diamond League champion in 2014.