Marathon — About the Author

In the 1970s, Jeff Galloway was one of a group of young American runners who would change distance running forever. Jeff and his running buddies — Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, Steve Prefontaine, Don Kardong, Amby Burfoot, Kenny Moore and others — captured the attention of a new generation of fitness-minded Americans, and the running boom was born. What had been a sport for the few became an activity for the millions.

Jeff was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, started running in high school, and was state champion in the 2-mile. He attended Wesleyan University and was All-American in cross-country and track. In preparing for the 1972 Olympics, Jeff, along with Frank Shorter and Jack Bacheler, spent two months training in the mountains at Vail, Colorado, and all three made the Olympic team that year. Jeff, according to runner/writer Joe Henderson “. . . should have been an Olympic marathoner, but instead made the team in the 10K and then helped friend Jack Bacheler make it in the longer distance.”

In 1973 Jeff set an American record in the 10-mile. He won the first Atlanta Marathon at age 18, and was the first winner of Atlanta’s Peachtree Road Race in 1970. In the mid-’70s he began to follow a training program that emphasized more rest and less weekly mileage, coupled with a long run every other week. At age 35 he ran the Houston-Tenneco Marathon in 2:16.

Jeff met his wife Barbara at a track meet in Florida. Barbara was on the Florida State women’s track team. They were married in 1976. Barbara runs practically every day and has competed in over 30 marathons. Her best 10K time is 41:50 and marathon time, 3:18.

Jeff is now on the road over half the time. Because of his busy schedule, he often runs 2–5 miles, two or three times per day. He generally totals about 60 miles a week. He has currently run 116 marathons, at the rate of 3–4 per year. Every ten years he returns to the site of his first victory, Atlanta, and tries to beat his time of 2:56 as an 18-year-old. So far he’s been successful. In 1993, at age 48, he ran just under 2:51.

Jeff and Barbara live with their sons Brennan and Westin in Atlanta, Georgia. Like their parents, both boys are (naturally!) runners.

Jeff Galloway’s Competitive Career

High school:

• 1-mile: 4:28;
• 2-mile: 9:48

College:

• 1-mile: 4:12;
• 2-mile: 9:06;
• 3-mile: 14:10

Other times:

• 6-mile: 27:21
• 10K: 28:29
• 10-mile: 47:49
  (U.S. record, 1973)