How potato farmer Cliff Young outran the world’s best athletes | Australian Story

Key Concepts:

• Cliff Young: An unconventional 61-year-old potato farmer who won the Sydney to Melbourne Ultramarathon.
• Sydney to Melbourne Ultramarathon: A grueling 875km race considered the longest, toughest, and richest ultramarathon at the time.
• Cliffy Young Shuffle: Cliff's distinctive, economical running style developed from chasing cattle in gumboots.
• Aussie Battler: A term used to describe Cliff Young, representing his underdog status and determination.
• Westfield: A shopping center company that sponsored the Sydney to Melbourne Ultramarathon and Cliff's wedding.

Cliff Young's Unexpected Victory

• The Race: In 1983, Cliff Young, a 61-year-old farmer, won the inaugural Sydney to Melbourne Ultramarathon, completing the 875km race in five days, 15 hours, and four minutes, beating the previous record by almost two days.
• Underdog Status: Cliff was seen as an unlikely competitor due to his age, profession, and unconventional running style.
• Public Fascination: His victory captured the Australian public's imagination, turning him into a national folk hero.
• Unusual Style: Cliff's attire (Fletcher Jones trousers, woollen jumper) and running style (the "Cliffy Young Shuffle") contrasted sharply with the professional runners.
• Simple Man: Despite his fame, Cliff remained humble and unchanged. "Oh, I don't mind, but it doesn't swell my head. I still get the same hat on I used to wear. It doesn't make any difference to me."

Early Life and Background

• Impoverished Upbringing: Cliff grew up on a small farm in Beech Forest during the Great Depression, experiencing poverty and hardship. "Sometimes we had to run a rabbit down before we could eat."
• Solitary Life: He lived a simple, solitary life with his mother in the Otway Ranges, running up to 30 kilometers daily.
• Cattle Chasing: His running ability developed from chasing cattle on his farm, often in gumboots due to the wet conditions.
• Olympic Dreams: As a child, Cliff daydreamed about becoming a famous runner and competing in the Olympic Games. "I used to have sort of daydreams, you know, thinking about how famous you could get."

The Sydney to Melbourne Ultramarathon

• Westfield Sponsorship: Westfield organized the race as a marketing initiative to promote their shopping centers.
• World-Class Competitors: The race attracted world champion ultramarathon runners from around the globe.
• Initial Doubts: Organizers initially worried about Cliff's age and fitness, fearing he might not survive the race. "We're not going to have some old geriatric die on the Hume Highway during our race."
• The Wrong Turn: At the start of the race, Cliff ran one kilometer in the wrong direction before being corrected by another runner.
• Dangerous Conditions: The race was run on the Hume Highway, a busy road with single lanes in many places, posing significant safety risks to the runners. "You got to be with it on that road or you get run over."
• Physical and Emotional Toll: Ultramarathoning is extremely demanding, causing physical stress (kidney issues, blood in urine, blisters) and emotional challenges.
• Gentleman's Agreement: Initially, the runners agreed to sleep at night, but Cliff's crew mistakenly set the alarm early, giving him a significant lead.
• The Cliffy Young Shuffle: His unique running style, developed from running in gumboots, allowed him to conserve energy and keep going for extended periods.

Victory and Aftermath

• Overwhelming Support: As Cliff approached Melbourne, thousands of people ran alongside him, cheering him on.
• Unexpected Arrival: He arrived in Melbourne much earlier than anticipated, surprising organizers and fans.
• Generosity: Cliff famously offered to share his $10,000 prize money with the other runners. "So I'll give a second and third prize for them and then any finisher will get something. Mightn't be much, but be something."
• Physical Toll: The race took a severe physical toll on Cliff, resulting in the loss of eight toenails and infected toes.
• National Hero: Cliff was celebrated as a national hero, receiving keys to the city and attending numerous functions.
• Colac Parade: Upon returning to his hometown of Colac, he was greeted with a celebratory parade.

Marriage to Mary

• Sudden Romance: Cliff, who had been single for most of his life, met and married Mary, a woman 39 years his junior.
• Westfield Wedding: Westfield sponsored their wedding, which took place in one of their shopping centers.
• Relationship Challenges: The marriage faced challenges due to the age difference and Cliff's established lifestyle.
• Business Changes: Mary took over managing Cliff's business affairs, leading to a separation from his previous manager, Mike Tonkin.
• Divorce: The marriage lasted approximately five years. "Yeah, yeah, married to Mary five years. Seems like 105, but it's only five."

Later Life and Legacy

• Continued Running: After the divorce, Cliff continued to run ultramarathons, making it his career and life.
• Support Crew: He relied on support crews, including Paula and Bridgette Powers (Cliff's Angels), who provided assistance during his races.
• Family Support: In his later years, Cliff lived with friends on the Sunshine Coast, who provided care and companionship.
• Death and Tributes: Cliff Young passed away in 2003. His funeral was attended by family, friends, and fellow runners, who paid tribute to his extraordinary life and achievements.
• Enduring Legacy: Cliff Young remains an Australian icon, remembered for his determination, humility, and the "Cliffy Young Shuffle." His story continues to inspire people to pursue their dreams, regardless of age or background. "People are still talking about him. He's still the Aussie battler. He's the Aussie icon and he's as good as the Melbourne Cup."

Conclusion:

Cliff Young's improbable victory in the Sydney to Melbourne Ultramarathon transformed him from an obscure potato farmer into a beloved national icon. His story highlights the power of perseverance, the allure of the underdog, and the enduring appeal of the "Aussie battler" spirit. Despite the challenges he faced, both during the race and in his personal life, Cliff Young's legacy as an extraordinary athlete and a humble, generous individual continues to inspire.