Career
Hartley was raised in Lydiate, Merseyside on the outskirts of Liverpool where his family ran a market garden. He began his athletic career at age 13 as a high jumper. By age 18 he held the Under-19 record for 400m hurdles (529 seconds).
In 1977 Hartley married fellow athlete Donna Hartley.
The marriage later ended in divorce. An achilles tendon problem ended his running career in 1982, after which he became a sprint coach and conditioner for Widnes Rugby League Club and then Wigan Rugby League Club.
Hartley now runs the family floriculture business in Lydiate.
