Jeff Galloway, Olympian and pioneer of the run/walk method, dies at 80
Jeff Galloway, an American Olympian who started the "run/walk method," has died at the age of 80.
His passing was announced in a statement shared on his social media page on Thursday, Feb. 26.
"Sadly, we lost someone truly irreplaceable today. We are heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Jeff—a husband, a father, a grandfather, a coach, a mentor, and a believer in every single one of you," the statement read.
"Jeff spent his life proving that anyone could cross a finish line. He celebrated every mile, every walk break, and every finish. He coached millions, but found fulfillment in each of your stories of personal accomplishment," it added.
Galloway was described as having an "almost supernatural ability to look at any person, any age, any fitness level… and see not what they were, but what they could become, in fitness and in life."
"He was genuinely thrilled by every single accomplishment, whether you were crossing the finish line of your fastest marathon or nervously finishing your first mile. To Jeff, both were worthy of celebration because both required you to believe in yourself and take the risk of trying," the post read.
"Jeff did not just make runners. He empowered people to believe in themselves. He is survived by every person who ever crossed a finish line and thought, 'I didn’t think I could do this.' Run easy. Walk proud. And thank you, Jeff, for always believing in every one of us!" it ended.
According to the Associated Press, his daughter-in-law Carissa said that Galloway died from a hemorrhagic stroke at a hospital in Pensacola, Florida.
The running legend was previously an All-American collegiate athlete and competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, representing the United States in the 10,000 meters at the height of his competitive career.
After retiring from competitive racing, Galloway shifted his focus to coaching and writing. He founded the widely popular “run/walk/run” method, a training approach that incorporates planned walk breaks into runs to reduce injury risk and improve endurance.
Galloway is survived by his two sons and six grandchildren.
