JEFF GALLOWAY, CREATOR OF THE RUN-WALK METHOD, DIES AT 80.(PHOTO).

 Jeff Galloway, creator of the run-walk method, dies at 80

Jeff Galloway, a 1972 U.S. Olympian whose run-walk-run method encouraged thousands of runners of all levels to take up the sport, died Wednesday at age 80. He passed away in a Pensacola, Florida, hospital following a hemorrhagic stroke, his daughter-in-law Carissa Galloway said.

Galloway’s impact extended far beyond elite athletics. His approach, which integrates walking breaks into running, made the sport more approachable, reducing injury risk and boosting confidence. Videos and messages poured in online in recent days, as fans and runners sent well-wishes following his emergency neurosurgery, thanking him for the guidance that helped them complete races. Galloway had survived heart failure in 2021 and had completed more than 230 marathons, continuing to inspire others with the message that running could be enjoyable and accessible at any age.

In 1974, two years after competing in the Olympic 10,000 meters, Galloway began teaching a running class at Florida State University while promoting his new running store, Phidippides. He introduced the run-walk-run approach to beginners who hadn’t run in years, carefully adjusting the intervals so participants could finish 5Ks and 10Ks without exhaustion. His philosophy emphasized pacing, injury prevention, and enjoyment, a method he refined over decades. Notably, during the 1980 Houston Marathon, he walked through every water station and still finished faster than in previous races, clocking 2:16:35.

Galloway shared his expertise through books, websites, retreats, and as the official training consultant for runDisney events at Walt Disney World, often running alongside participants. Admirers frequently recounted personal encounters, noting how his encouragement and guidance transformed their running experiences.

He is survived by two sons and six grandchildren.