Sports Spotlight: Jack Gallagher

Winter Park resident Jack Gallagher placed third in his age category of “80 to infinity” during the Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliffe Winter Park Road Race 10K on March 25. He also placed second overall in his age category in this year’s Track Shack Running Series. He currently organizes the Winter Park Sunday Running Group, an open group for all ages. The group meets at 7 a.m. Sundays at the corner of Park and Welbourne avenues near the Williams-Sonoma. 

The Basics

Age: 82

Hometown: Scranton, Pa.

Height: 5'11''

10K PR: 43:38

How long have you been running? 

I’ve been running since 1980. I’ve run 11 marathons, and I think Saturday was my 328th race.

Why do you run? 

I run now because I love it. I ran initially because I was diagnosed with an extremely high cholesterol level. I was able to run an eight-minute mile, and I just kind of liked it. I decided to stick with it.

What’s your favorite place to eat on Park Avenue? 

Umi. I’m not overly fond of Japanese food, but they are good.

What’s your favorite TV show to watch? 

“Jeopardy!” It’s the intellectual side of it, there’s a lot of TV that is simply not worth watching.

What’s the best trip you’ve ever taken? 

That’s hard to say. Two years ago, we went on a Mediterranean cruise that went as far as the Holy Lands of Israel. That was delightful.

What’s your favorite sports team? 

When I was growing up it was the Yankees. Now I don’t follow sports that much.

What would you say to someone thinking of joining the Sunday Running Group? 

First of all, they don’t know what they’re missing. It’s just a genuinely nice group of people. I like having company. If you’re training for something, you can find compatible runners to run with.

What’s your favorite place to run? 

In any country I visit. I got lost in Prague once.