Jeff Galloway, the American pioneer who helped millions of people begin their running journeys, has died at the age of 80.
An all-American collegiate runner and member of the 1972 US Olympics team in the 10,000 metres on the track, he later changed the course of running through his training regimes and books.
Most famously he came up with the concept of run-walk-run – which is now widely known as “jeffing” – to make the sport more accessible for so many.
Ground-breaking advice
His own running career was impressive, with a 10-mile American road race record, that Olympics appearance and over 200 marathons, but it was helping others where he made the biggest impact.
His training advice promoted more rest and less weekly mileage, coupled with a long run every other week – a model which has been followed by many first-time marathon runners since then.
And his run-walk-run strategy began in 1974 which saw him advise runners to add walking intervals into their runs.
Just last year he told The New York Times: “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.”
Inspiring others
His family have just issued a statement, which reads: “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.
“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.
“Jeff had 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.
“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!”
