Running Pioneer Jeff Galloway Passes Away at 80 in Florida
Jeff Galloway, the legendary runner who transformed how everyday people approach marathon training, has died at the age of 80. The former 1972 U.S. Olympian passed away on Wednesday in Pensacola, Florida, following a hemorrhagic stroke, as confirmed by his daughter-in-law Carissa Galloway.
Outpouring of Support from the Running Community
In the days leading up to his passing, supporters flooded the internet with heartfelt tributes after his family revealed he had undergone emergency neurosurgery on February 20. Runners worldwide shared old race photos, personal stories from finish lines, and messages of gratitude for helping them believe they could start running in the first place. This overwhelming response demonstrated just how deeply his philosophy had permeated the global running community.
The Revolutionary Run-Walk-Run Method
While Galloway competed in the 10,000 meters at the 1972 Olympics, his most enduring legacy began two years later. In 1974, he agreed to teach a running class through Florida State University composed entirely of beginners who hadn't run in years. Instead of pushing them with intense training, he introduced short jogging intervals between walking breaks.
"None had done any running for at least five years. So we started walking with a few one-minute jogs," Galloway explained on his website. He meticulously adjusted each session, spending time with every group during runs to fine-tune the frequency of walk breaks so no one was huffing and puffing—even at the end.
Walk breaks kept the groups together, and everyone passed the final exam: finishing either a 5K or 10K race with smiles on their faces.
Transforming Marathon Running Forever
This innovative approach became known as the run-walk-run method. Galloway firmly believed that incorporating walking during races significantly reduced injury risk and preserved energy for better performance. "I've been using them ever since," he said, "continuing to fine-tune the ratios of running to walking based upon pace per mile and individual needs."
He even tested the method himself with remarkable results. During the 1980 Houston Marathon, he walked through every water station and finished in 2:16:35—faster than his previous run-only efforts. For countless runners, finishing a race became less about speed and more about belief in their own capabilities.
A Lifetime of Running Achievements
Galloway completed more than 230 marathons throughout his extraordinary career and survived heart failure in 2021. Even at 80, he maintained his passion for running and hoped to complete another marathon. As he told The New York Times last December, "My mission now, at the age of 80-plus, is to show that people can do things that are normally not done, and can do them safely."
He is survived by two sons and six grandchildren, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire runners of all levels worldwide.
