When 62-year-old Maria Matney decided to start running again, after a six-year hiatus, she thought just completing a 5k would be a challenge. Now, two years later, Matney has not only completed multiple half marathons, but is training to run a full marathon.
She credits the Toledo Area Galloway Group (TAGG) for her success.
“This program and Jeff Galloway’s Run-Walk-Run method was a game changer,” Matney said. “I’ve been able to increase my running pace.”
Designed for people of all fitness levels, including Wellness Walkers, social runners and distance athletes, the program offers a structured, supportive environment to help each member reach their personal health, wellness and racing goals, said TAGG Program Director Nickie Sattler.

Named for Jeff Galloway, an Olympic runner, the method involves intervals of walking with running, usually 30 seconds of walking and 30 seconds of running.
As Galloway was running a beginner’s running program, he noticed that many of his students were getting too winded to run consistently. So he suggested running a little, until they couldn’t hold a conversation, and then walking a little.
“He spent a lot of time gathering data, and that changed some of his ideas. He found that 30 seconds was the sweet spot – it allowed the heart rate to lower,” Sattler said. “This method has less impact on the body, it’s easier on the knees and the heart rate doesn’t get too high.”
The Galloway Method was introduced in 1973 and has helped thousands of runners meet their goals in the decades since, she added.
Sattler was a self-described couch potato when her son, Joseph, headed off to Marine Corps boot camp seven years ago. To keep her mind off his absence, and to show solidarity with the rigorous training he was undergoing, she started running around the neighborhood.
“I never thought I’d be doing half marathons and marathons. Going around the block was enough,” she said.
So she joined a Dayton Galloway Group and discovered the Run-Walk-Run method as a way to increase her stamina and her pace.
“I can run three miles without a break, at a slower pace. I run faster taking walk breaks,” she said, noting that she’s increased her personal record. “I’m not the fastest, but the back-of-the-pack runners get their money’s worth, and they enjoy the run. And nothing says that if you have to take a break and walk that you’re not a runner.”
Recently TAGG held a kickoff for its summer/fall session, with coffee, a meeting and a three-mile run. The season runs through November 21 and new Wellness Walkers and social runners are welcome.
Training sessions are all coach-led, three days a week, to ensure proper pacing, motivation and safety. Tuesdays and Thursdays are conditioning and maintenance sessions of 3 miles while Saturdays are dedicated to endurance-building group runs and walks in area Metroparks, ranging from 5 to 10 miles.
When Beth Tronolone joined TAGG, the former high school and college volleyball player didn’t have a lot of running experience. Now 68, she didn’t begin running until 57.
“I was able to go from being a slow runner to doing a 5k,” she said. “I signed up for the Garmin Half Marathon and had an impressive time for a first-timer.”
Just as she was hitting her pace, Tronolone was sidelined with arthritis in the knee, which kept her from even walking three miles. Using the Galloway Method, she slowly worked her way back into running and, last week, completed six miles.
“It’s great beginning runners, injured runners and older runners. I represent all three,” she laughed. “I’m at a point where I’m not going to go faster and see my name in the paper. Every once in a while I will place second or third, but that’s because I’m old. But I feel like I’m accomplishing something. And it’s about the camaraderie. I love my running group. The people are so great and we get to go to a lot of different places.”
Among her favorite runs over the years were the Shawshank Hustle and the Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Run. This year the group is preparing for three half marathons – the Air Force, Detroit Free Press International, and the Churchill’s – as well as the Honolulu Marathon.
While Tronolone is the oldest member at 68, the group has members in their 20s as well. The members usually follow up a run with a stop at an ice cream or coffee shop, brewery or restaurant. But the runners don’t keep their socializing until the end. Often they are talking to one another while running – because they’re not huffing and puffing.
“We’re trying to grow the community and share the love,” Sattler said. “The Galloway community is very supportive of each other.”
To learn more, email [email protected] or join the Toledo Area Galloway Group on Facebook.






















