Jeff Galloway, the 1972 U.S. Olympian who helped reshape American distance running through his widely adopted run-walk-run method, has died at 80. His family said he passed away in Pensacola, Florida, following complications from a stroke. For decades, Galloway stood at the center of the modern running movement, bridging elite competition and everyday participation.
A former national record holder in the 10-mile run, Galloway competed in the 10,000 meters at the Munich Olympics. While contemporaries like Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers fueled the American running boom with major victories, Galloway focused on expanding the sport’s reach. His run-walk-run strategy, developed in the 1970s, reframed endurance training by integrating planned walk breaks to reduce injury risk and build confidence.
Through books, clinics, and training programs, Galloway guided hundreds of thousands of runners, from first-time 5K participants to marathoners. He opened one of the country’s earliest specialty running stores and became a trusted coach for recreational athletes nationwide. His influence lives on in finish lines crossed by people who once believed distance running was out of reach.