Dr Jenny Hartley
Unscripted CoachingRun smarter. Train safer. Perform better.
GP, Running coach, Personal trainer, Army veteran – and most importantly of all – I’m your BIGGEST cheerleader!
My Running Journey
I’ve been running competitively for over 25 years, across everything from track racing to ultramarathons. In 2023, I won gold medals in the 100 metres and 1,500 metres at the Invictus Games, ran a 3:03 marathon, and podiumed at two ultramarathons — reflecting both speed and endurance across disciplines.
I also ran throughout my pregnancy, racing distances from 5km to trail marathon. Fifteen weeks after giving birth, I raced a half marathon and completed a 50km ultra three weeks later. That said, this is my journey – not a benchmark or expectation. Pregnancy and post-partum recovery look different for everyone, and the path back to training isn’t always smooth.
I believe you often learn the most through failure. One of my earliest lessons came long before ultramarathons. I was the first woman to pass the physical selection tests for P Company, the Parachute Regiment’s notoriously brutal course. I didn’t finish – a stress fracture forced me out – but I was proud of how far I got.
My greatest setback – and one of my proudest achievements – was the Dragons Back Race in 2024. I started the race with a chronic knee injury. I focused on what I could control: route recce, strength training, nutrition, and mindset. My knee held until day four, after which I could only descend hills backwards. I was eventually timed out at the end of day five – just five minutes short – after miles of backward downhill running.
I’m now an injured runner with a knee that will never fully heal. But I’ve adapted. Steep mountain descents are no longer my goal; long, rolling trails are. Strength training is non-negotiable, and my nutrition supports recovery and long-term health. This reframing hasn’t ended my running – it’s made it smarter, more intentional, and more sustainable.
Did You Know…?
Gladiators Champion
I appeared on Gladiators in 2008. Things did not start well. But in a plot twist absolutely no one saw coming, I smashed the final Travelator and won. The clips are still floating around the internet if you’re brave enough to look.
I Won The London Marathon
In 2023 I won the London Marathon – or at least, I was the first person to cross the finish line after downing a pint at the Hash House Harriers beer station at mile 22. I’m choosing to interpret this as winning the London Marathon, and I will not be taking questions at this time.
Prince Harry's Official Cheerleader
While other athletes conserved energy at the Invictus Games, I was busy providing high-volume, high-energy moral support. It turns out that level of enthusiasm gets noticed: I was hand-picked to sit next to Prince Harry during his royal spectating duties. Proof that being over-enthusiastic sometimes pays off.
About Me
I live in the Shropshire hills, and most days you’ll find me outside – running the trails, walking the dog, or heading for a cold dip in the nearest bit of wild water. Being outdoors is a huge part of my life, and it’s where I do my best thinking, training, and resetting.
I’m a member of Mercia Fell Runners, although I don’t race the fells much these days. Steep descents aren’t kind to my knee, so I’ve shifted how I’m involved. You’re far more likely to see me marshalling or acting as a sweeper, cheering people on and supporting those towards the back of the field to make it round before cut-offs. Encouraging others, especially those further back in the field, brings me as much satisfaction as racing.
Alongside coaching, I work as an NHS GP in Shropshire, with a particular interest in veterans’ health and women’s health. Before medicine, I spent 19 years in the Army before being medically discharged. Those experiences – military, medical, and personal – shape how I coach: practical, compassionate, and always grounded in real life rather than perfect conditions.
