U.S. Olympian who gained popularity as coach dies at 80

Jeff Galloway, a renowned coach, mentor, and innovator whose training methods and programs helped hundreds of thousands of runners reach their racing goals, has died. He was 80.

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According to Runner’s World, Galloway died from complications following a stroke and brain bleeding.

A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Galloway began his competitive running career at Wesleyan University. He gained fame as a long-distance runner after graduating.

Galloway represented the United States in the 10K at the 1972 Olympics. The following year, he finished fifth in the Boston Marathon.

Galloway gained his biggest following as a guru for amateur runners. He shared his running philosophies — namely, the “run-walk-run” method — through books, websites, retreats, and as a training consultant for runDisney, a series of races at Disney-branded resorts.

Galloway believed walking during a run reduced the risk of injury, conserved energy and kept confidence afloat, according to his Associated Press obituary.

“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.”

A message posted on Galloway’s instagram account Wednesday informed followers of his death.

“Jeff spent his life proving that anyone could cross a finish line,” the message read. “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.”

Galloway is survived by two sons and six grandchildren, according to the AP.

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