Barbara Galloway: RIP Jeff Galloway

 

Jeff Galloway, who died recently may have been the world's most influential and beloved running ambassador. 

In this podcast, we speak primarily with his wife, Barbara, and also with his son, Westin, and his co-coach, Chris Twiggs.

Galloway was an Olympian in his competitive days, and also winner of the first Atlanta Marathon (1963) and the first Peachtree Road Race (1970).

In those early days, no one could have imagined that running would be a massive participant sport on a global scale. 

Galloway did as much or more than anyone else to make the present-day miracle happen.   

In literally thousands of clinic and talks, he spread a simple message: Yes, you can. You can run more than you have believed, and you will become a mentally and physically healthier person as you do.

Importantly, Galloway had a training plan to accompany his words. This was the now-famous Run-Walk-Run approach, also called "Jeffing" by many.

While some runners initially scoffed at the idea of walking during a workout or marathon race, others followed his inspiration and his instruction. And they succeeded. And they told friends that the program worked.

Before long, a small trickle of run-walk-run fans became millions, and the fitness world at large was forced to acknowledge Galloway's genius, method, and impact. 

His passing was met with an outpouring of love and thank-you messages, particularly on this Facebook page.

Major media around the world also noted Jeff's life and accomplishments. Many of these articles are currently linked from the home page at JeffGalloway.com.

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

Use your smartphone to download our podcast from Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for "running state of the sport."
With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.
"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.
"Run Long, Run Healthy" is a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.






Graham Blanks

 

In the past four years, few if any American runners have posted results better than Graham Blanks.

In his last two fall seasons at Harvard, Blanks won the NCAA Div. 1 Cross-Country Championships. After graduation, he qualified for the Paris Olympics, the 2025 Tokyo World Championships, and the 2026 World XC Championships in Tallahassee.

After Tallahassee, Blanks ran two strong indoor races in the New Balance Games in Boston and the Millrose Games in New York City. At Millrose, he hit 8:08.60 in the 2-mile. 

Now he looks to the future. It's a future in which he believes he can continue to improve on the track, and even win global competitions. (First he has to work on his kick.)

Of course, he can't help but wonder about the marathon. One of his less-accomplished Harvard teammates, Ben Rosa, already ran a 2:09:47 in December, 2025. He and Blanks plan to hook up again for some tough training sessions later this year. 

We imagine there will be much marathon talk on their grinding 20-milers. Also, one of Blanks's advisors at Harvard was professor Paul Gompers, also known as the fourth place finisher in the 1988 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. 

While some other top collegians have switched to corporate/professional coaches in their post-University days, Blanks is still working with Harvard coach Alex Gibby. A hallmark of their program? Blanks and Gibby don't believe in the "easy days" that underpin many other training plans. 

Even on slower days, Blanks almost never dials things back any further than 6:00/mile. He figures this means he is always adding to his aerobic development. He does take one day off per week, usually Thursday.

You can follow Graham Blanks on Instagram.

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

Use your smartphone to download our podcast from Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for "running state of the sport."
With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.
"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.
"Run Long, Run Healthy" is a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.


Brett Larner, Japan Running News

Born in Canada and educated mostly in the United States, Brett Larner has lived and run in Japan for the last 30 years. There, he began JapanRunningNews.blogspot.com to help the English speaking world understand more about the whys and hows of Japanese Running.

There's a lot to learn. After the East African countries, Japan has long led the rest of the globe in marathon success. 

For a time, Japanese running was mainly confined to a number of smallish, but super-elite annual marathons. However, the rapid growth of the Tokyo Marathon, now a World Marathon Major, has introduced mass participation running to a culture already attuned to elite competitions. 

Larner explains a number of historical reasons for Japanese success, especially among male runners. These include the unique ekiden relay races so popular in Japan, including one--the Hakone Ekiden, at the beginning of each New Year--that rivets the entire country much as the Super Bowl does in the U.S.

Also, Japan has a system of corporate running teams where the athletes are actual company employees and not just sponsored superstars. This system may encourage more everyday runners, and even non runners, to become supporters of the country's best distance elites.

You can learn more about Brett Larner at the above website, or from his JRNHeadlines account on X.com.

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

Use your smartphone to download our podcast from Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for "running state of the sport."
With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.
"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.
"Run Long, Run Healthy" is a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.

Dakotah Popehn, formerly Lindwurm

After two wins and a second-place finish at Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN, Dakotah Popehn, then Lindwurm, burst onto the national scene with her third-place finish in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she finished first among USA runners with a strong 12th place.

Since Paris, Popehn has gotten married and improved her marathon PR to 2:24:20. She was hoping for much more, which she discusses in this podcast. In fact, she hopes to eventually break the American Record in the marathon.

Unlike many other elites, Popehn was not a high school and college star. Her first love as a youth athlete was hockey; she played the goalie position.

She improved dramatically in her mid-20s through years of consistent, dedicated training with Minnesota Distance Elite. She gives much credit to head coach Chris Lundstrom and her teammates like Annie Frisbie.

You can learn more about Dakotah Popehn by following her on Instagram.

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

Use your smartphone to download our podcast from Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for "running state of the sport."
With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.
"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.
"Run Long, Run Healthy" is a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.

2025 Year In Review

In this podcast episode, George Hirsch and I look back at the biggest running stories and events of the year. Would you believe that several big men's marathon races were closer than Melissa Jefferson Wooden's typical victory margin in the 100 meters?

Here Benson Kipruto edges out Alexander Mutiso in the NYC Marathon. Kipruto became the first male marathoner to have won Boston, Chicago, and New York in his career. (Ingrid Kristiansen has achieved the Triple for females.)

Other male marathon highlights: Sebastian Sawe won his second and third big marathons (London; Berlin) in three marathon starts, all with times in the low 2:02s. His 2:02:16 in Berlin, after extensive pre-race drug testing, was the fastest time of the year. And American Conner Mantz took a big chunk off the American Record for the marathon when he ran 2:04:43 at Chicago. 

On the women's side, Peres Jepchirchir won a thrilling World Championships Marathon in Tokyo, but then couldn't hold off Joyciline Jepkosgei in Valencia in December. Jepkosgei won there in 2:14:00, the fastest time of the year.

The World Championships produced a surprising result in the men's 5000 and 10,000 when seven of the top ten finishers (including both winners) were NOT from East Africa. Cole Hocker picked up his second gold medal in two years, winning the 5000 in Tokyo after taking the 1500 in the Paris Olympics.

Melissa Jefferson Wooden was the standout sprinter of the year, winning almost everything she entered by a wide margin. For some reason we can't fathom, World Athletics didn't name her the top female speedster of the year, giving the nod to Sydney McLaughlin Levrone, who was sensational as always. But ...???

And those high schoolers, OMG! A 16 year old high school sophomore from Texas, Cooper Lutkenhaus, finished second in the USATF National Champs 800 with a time of 1:42.27. That approaches the unimaginable. 

Jane Hedengren posted record performance after record performance in 2025, first as a high school runner in Utah, then as a first year student at BYU. 

Lutkenhaus and Hedengren are already being termed "generational talents" and they might hit that lofty peak in another year or two.

Possibly the biggest story of the year, and a depressing one, was the implosion of Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track league. It didn't draw big fan crowds, and turned out not to have sufficient funds to pay all creditors. Now in bankruptcy court but claiming it hopes to continue, GST will continue as a big story in 2026.

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

Use your smartphone to download our podcast from Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for "running state of the sport."
With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.
"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.
"Run Long, Run Healthy" is a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.





 


Jeff Galloway

 

Early in his career, Jeff Galloway won the first marathon he entered in 1963, won the first Peachtree Classic 10K on July 4, 1970, made the 1972 U.S. Olympic team at 10,000 meters, and ran the Houston Marathon in 2:16+.

Later in his life, Galloway made much bigger contributions. For the last 40 years he has focused his attention on teaching beginning and intermediate (and injured) runners how they can use his Run-Walk-Run method to get fit, avoid injuries, and maybe run faster than they had imagined possible.

Few if any other elite runners have made such a complete transition from the front of the pack to the middle and back. Along the way, Galloway has transformed the lives of untold thousands of his followers.

He also kept running marathons, though now usually in 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, and occasionally even 6 hours. There was nothing wrong with slow, he argued (and showed). It was all about maintaing your body in good enough shape to keep moving forward.

Galloway more than practiced what he preached. He went to new frontiers. Several weeks ago, it appeared that he would become the first person known to complete a marathon in 8 consecutive decades of life--from the teens into the 80s. 

Then "The Universe seemed to develop another plan for me," as he put it. A household accident led to a leg injury that prevented his travel to Honolulu.

That's unlikely to stop Galloway for long. The Universe has tossed him obstacles in the past, and he has always developed a new approach to keeping fit and healthy. He'll no doubt follow that path as long as he can.

For more on Jeff Galloway and his coaching, training plans, and camps, visit JeffGalloway.com.

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

Use your smartphone to download our podcast from Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for "running state of the sport."
With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.
"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.
"Run Long, Run Healthy" is a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.

Dathan Ritzenhein

 

Dathan Ritzenhein has been a headliner in American distance running for more than 25 years now, ever since his sensational high school career in Rockford, Michigan. He finished 8th-1st-1st in three successive Footlocker appearances, including an epic race in 2000 against Alan Webb and Ryan Hall. 

After high school, Ritzehein starred at the University of  Colorado and as a professional runner for Nike. He achieved best times of 12:56 for 5000 meters, and 2:07:47 in the marathon.

Since 2000, Ritzehein has been head coach of the On Athletics Club (OAC) in Boulder, which he has nurtured from a small, underfinanced group to a global power. Recently, his athletes won the steeplechase gold medal in the Tokyo World Championships (Geordie Beamish) and set a big female course record in winning the New York City Marathon (Hellen Obiri). Also in New York, Joe Klecker made a strong marathon debut with his 2:10:37.

In this podcast interview, Ritzenhein talks about all the above, plus the evolution of his philosophy of training and racing, as well as the major changes in training, shoes, and supplements he has seen in the last 10 years.

For more on the OAC, go here. The Club's Instagram page is here. Dathan's listing on Wikipedia is here.

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

Use your smartphone to download our podcast from Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for "running state of the sport."
With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.
"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.
"Run Long, Run Healthy" is a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.















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Barbara Galloway: RIP Jeff Galloway

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