Jeff Galloway, the 1972 US Olympian who revolutionised running for millions with his accessible run-walk-run strategy, has died at the age of 80.
His pioneering approach, which encouraged athletes of all levels to integrate walking breaks into their runs, whether tackling a marathon or a casual jog, left an indelible mark on the sport.
Mr Galloway passed away on Wednesday at a hospital in Pensacola, Florida, following a hemorrhagic stroke, his daughter-in-law Carissa Galloway confirmed.
In the days leading up to his death, after undergoing emergency neurosurgery on 20 February, a wave of tributes and well-wishes flooded online platforms, with countless individuals sharing videos thanking him for the confidence and inspiration he provided.
His innovative run-walk-run method originated in 1974, two years after his Olympic appearance in the 10,000 metres.
He began teaching a running class through Florida State University, initially hoping to attract customers to his new store, Phidippides.
"None had done any running for at least five years. So we started walking with a few one-minute jogs," Mr Galloway recounted on his website. He meticulously adjusted the walk breaks to ensure participants remained comfortable.
"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 said. "Walk breaks kept the groups together. Everyone passed the final exam: finishing either a 5K or a 10K with smiles on their faces."
Mr Galloway firmly believed that incorporating walking into a run reduced the risk of injury, conserved energy, and boosted confidence.
He applied this philosophy himself, famously walking through every water station during the 1980 Houston marathon and achieving a faster time of 2:16:35 than his previous run-only races.
"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."
Jim Vance, an elite endurance sports consultant based in San Diego, hailed Mr Galloway as a "pioneer" for making running accessible.
"He removed the barrier to entry, which was mostly mental," Mr Vance told 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 and having completed over 230 marathons in his lifetime, Mr Galloway remained ambitious.
He told The New York Times in 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 disseminated his running philosophies through numerous books, websites, and retreats, and served as the official training consultant for runDisney, often joining participants in their races.
His impact was deeply personal for many, including Karen Bock-Losee, 70, from Jacksonville, Florida, who shared in a video: "I never thought I would be a runner. I never thought I'd run a half marathon. 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 recalled Mr Galloway personally encouraging her during a difficult moment in a 2011 half marathon, saying, "You passed me, and my butt was cramping. You turned around and came back. You talked me through it. It was awesome."
Bobby McGee, a Colorado-based running coach, underscored Mr Galloway's legacy, noting that his method democratised the sport.
"When a group of people in any kind of run — from marathons to fun runs — get together afterwards they talk about their time," Mr McGee said. "Nobody asks them if they ran the whole thing."
Mr Galloway is survived by his two sons and six grandchildren.
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