Running legend Jeff Galloway dies at 80

Atlanta running community honors Olympian's legacy of inspiring others

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Jeff Galloway, a former US Olympian widely known for his run-walk-run strategy, passed away at the age of 80 in Pensacola, Florida on Wednesday. Galloway's daughter-in-law and the CEO of the Atlanta Track Club paid tribute to his impact on the running community, as Atlanta runners honored his memory with a moment of silence during a Thursday night run.

Why it matters

Galloway was a legendary figure in the Atlanta running community, having won the first Peachtree Road Race. He was celebrated for inspiring countless people to take up running and adopt his innovative training methods.

The details

Officials say Galloway suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and died in a hospital in Pensacola, Florida. His daughter-in-law, Carissa Galloway, shared a tribute to him through social media following his death. Rich Kenah, the CEO of the Atlanta Track Club, said Galloway will likely be remembered most for inspiring so many people to start running. At a Thursday night run along the Atlanta Beltline, the group held a moment of silence in Galloway's honor.

  • Galloway died on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.
  • The group held a moment of silence in Galloway's honor on Thursday night.

The players

Jeff Galloway

A former US Olympian who was widely known for his run-walk-run training strategy and his impact on the Atlanta running community.

Carissa Galloway

Galloway's daughter-in-law, who shared a tribute to him on social media following his death.

Rich Kenah

The CEO of the Atlanta Track Club, who said Galloway will be remembered for inspiring so many people to start running.

Alex Lewis

An Atlanta runner who was influenced by Galloway and ran his first marathon in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“With Jeff being the winner of the first Peachtree, he sort of automatically is a legend here in Atlanta.”

— Rich Kenah, CEO, Atlanta Track Club (FOX 5)

“We know Jeff in the running world as our hometown hero. You know, our celebrity. But he leveraged that celebrity to bring more people into the sport than anybody else that I can think of. I think that should be his legacy.”

— Rich Kenah, CEO, Atlanta Track Club (FOX 5)

“He's a big advocate for encouraging people to go and run. I was influenced by him. I ran my 1st marathon back in December of 2024.”

— Alex Lewis (FOX 5)

What’s next

Atlanta Track Club officials say there will be a moment to recognize Jeff Galloway before the start of Sunday's Publix Atlanta Marathon, and they are still planning how they will pay tribute to him at this year's Peachtree Road Race.

The takeaway

Jeff Galloway's legacy as a running legend in Atlanta will be remembered for his ability to inspire countless people to take up running and adopt his innovative training methods, making him a beloved figure in the local running community.