Oct 24, 2000

Nominations were taken recently for the RRCA's Browning Ross Award. It honors those like Ross himself, one of the organization's founders, for lifetime achievements in and service to the sport.

My first impulse was to cast a vote for Jeff Galloway, but I went with someone older (who shall go nameless until all nominees are announced). Jeff, at 55, still has much of his life to live and his good work to continue.

I think of him today, though, because of a note received from reader Ron Marianetti. At a Galloway camp this summer, Ron heard that Jeff had given up his spot on the 1972 Olympic Marathon team and wanted details.

When you hear that Jeff was an Olympian, it's easy to assume that it was as a marathoner. He has built much of his reputation around giving marathon advice.

But he made the 10,000 team at the '72 Trials, while his Florida Track Club teammate Jack Bacheler finished fourth but was disqualified for a bumping incident.

The marathon was run after the 10 that year. It would have been Jeff's better event, and the 10 would have been Jack's.

As it was, Jeff paced his buddy through the marathon, then stepped aside at the end to let him place third. (Frank Shorter and Kenny Moore tied for first.) Jeff and Jack would have preferred to switch events, but officials wouldn't hear of it.

Bacheler went on to finish ninth at the Olympics. Galloway, who didn't make the 10,000 final, surely could have been a contender at his better distance.

But I've never once heard him voice any regrets over his choice to help a friend. This story helps explain why Jeff became the revered figure he is in the sport.

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