Olympian Jeff Galloway Dies at 80: Jeff Galloway, the legendary American distance runner and acclaimed coach, has passed away at age 80, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the world of running. Through his innovative running methods and coaching philosophy, he helped millions of people discover running joy, which extended beyond his competitive race achievements.
Who Was Jeff Galloway?
John F. “Jeff” Galloway was born on July 12, 1945, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He became an Olympian, author, and distance running authority after growing up in modest circumstances. Galloway achieved athletic success in college, and his 10,000-meter race at the 1972 U.S. Olympic Team formed his reputation as a running expert who created accessible, permanent running methods.
Jeff Galloway’s Career
Galloway achieved elite competition status through his athletic achievements which included a marathon performance of 2 hours 16 minutes 35 seconds. He established himself as a training and coaching pioneer through his work in running store establishments and camp organization activities, and his role as runDisney events’ official training consultant. He operated Galloway Productions, which developed running programs and events for athletes of all skill levels, and he contributed to Runner’s World magazine as a writer.
Jeff Galloway’s Cause of Death
Jeff Galloway died on February 25, 2026, after suffering complications from a hemorrhagic stroke with brain bleeding, according to family reports. He died in a hospital located in Pensacola, Florida.
Jeff Galloway’s Training Plan
Galloway’s most influential contribution to the running world was the Run-Walk-Run method, which enables all people to run long distances through its combination of running and walking between them. His training methods brought an innovative breakthrough, which transformed the training process for beginners, recreational runners, and experienced runners.
Jeff Galloway’s Age
Jeff Galloway reached the age of 80 years at the time of his death.
Jeff Galloway’s Books
Jeff Galloway published more than 20 books during his career, which included his most popular work, Galloway’s Book on Running, which remains one of the top-selling running training manuals throughout history. His publications demonstrated effective training methods that kept runners safe from injuries, while his work spread to runners across the globe.
Jeff Galloway’s Family
Jeff Galloway married his wife Barbara, whom he first met during their time at Florida State University. The couple raised two sons together while they enjoyed being grandparents to multiple grandchildren. His family members often helped him with his running activities because they shared his enthusiasm for the sport.
Jeff Galloway established a legacy that brought people inspiration through his work, which made sports more available to everyone, while he introduced new ideas to the world. His teachings spread from Olympic tracks to neighborhood marathons, which helped all runners who followed his guidance. The Run-Walk-Run method, together with his books and philosophy, will continue to direct and inspire upcoming generations after his death.
