Olympic Runner Jeff Galloway, Pioneer of Run-Walk Training Method, Dies at 80

Jeff Galloway, a 1972 Olympic athlete who revolutionized running by popularizing the run-walk-run training approach, passed away Wednesday in Florida after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. The 80-year-old inspired countless runners worldwide with his accessible method that made the sport less intimidating for beginners.

A former Olympic athlete whose revolutionary training approach transformed running for millions of people worldwide has died at age 80. Jeff Galloway, who competed for Team USA in the 1972 Olympics, passed away Wednesday at a Pensacola, Florida hospital following a hemorrhagic stroke, according to his daughter-in-law Carissa Galloway.

Galloway became famous for developing and promoting the run-walk-run technique, which encouraged runners of all levels to incorporate walking breaks into their training and racing strategies. His method gained popularity among both competitive athletes and recreational runners looking to complete everything from neighborhood runs to full marathons.

The impact of his work became clear during his final weeks, as thousands of supporters shared videos online expressing gratitude for his guidance and hoping for his recovery from emergency brain surgery. His family had announced the procedure on February 20th and asked the public to share their support.

According to Jim Vance, an elite endurance sports consultant based in San Diego, Galloway broke new ground in making running accessible to everyone. “He removed the barrier to entry, which was mostly mental,” Vance explained to The Associated Press. “Running isn’t supposed to be a suffer-fest. It should be something peaceful, something enjoyable, so people can enjoy running and not dread it.”

Despite surviving heart failure in 2021, Galloway remained determined to complete additional marathons, having already finished more than 230 throughout his career. “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 shared with The New York Times this past December.

The run-walk-run concept originated in 1974 when Galloway accepted an opportunity to lead a running class at Florida State University, just two years following his Olympic appearance in the 10,000-meter event. He hoped the teaching position might help draw customers to Phidippides, his newly opened running store.

“None had done any running for at least five years. So we started walking with a few one-minute jogs,” Galloway explained on his personal website.

“I spent some time with each group, during the runs, to adjust the frequency of walk breaks so that no one was huffing and puffing — even at the end,” he continued. “Walk breaks kept the groups together. Everyone passed the final exam: finishing either a 5K or a 10K with smiles on their faces.”

Galloway’s philosophy centered on the belief that incorporating walking segments during runs helped prevent injuries, preserved energy, and maintained runners’ confidence levels. “I’ve been using them ever since,” he noted, “continuing to fine-tune the ratios of running to walking based upon pace per mile and individual needs.”

He even proved his method’s effectiveness personally during the 1980 Houston Marathon, where he walked through each water station yet achieved a faster finishing time of 2:16:35 compared to his previous marathon attempts without walking breaks, The Times reported.

Through books, websites, and training retreats, Galloway spread his running philosophy to a wide audience. He served as the official training consultant for runDisney, the race series held at Walt Disney Company resort locations, and frequently participated in these events himself. Following news of his recent surgery, many grateful runners shared tribute videos online.

“I never thought I would be a runner. I never thought I’d run a half marathon,” said Karen Bock-Losee from Jacksonville, Florida, in one video tribute. “I’m 70 years old and I’ve run several since my 60th birthday when I discovered Galloway running. I just want to say thank you.”

Susan Williams remembered encountering Galloway during a difficult moment at a 2011 half marathon in Murray, Kentucky. “You passed me, and my butt was cramping,” she recalled. “You turned around and came back. You talked me through it. It was awesome.”

Bobby McGee, a running coach from Colorado, credited Galloway with making the sport more welcoming to everyday people. “When a group of people in any kind of run — from marathons to fun runs — get together afterwards they talk about their time,” McGee observed. “Nobody asks them if they ran the whole thing.”

Galloway leaves behind two sons and six grandchildren.