In 1983, Cliff Young, a 61-year-old Australian potato farmer, entered one of the world’s most grueling endurance events—the 544-mile Sydney to Melbourne Ultra-Marathon. Against a field of much younger, highly trained athletes, Young not only became a hero but also redefined the meaning of stamina and mental fortitude. His unconventional, inspiring victory has since become an iconic story in sports history.
The Sydney to Melbourne race was, and still is, one of the longest and most challenging ultra-marathons in the world. Covering 875 kilometers (544 miles) of highways, it demands an extraordinary level of endurance, typically taking runners several days to complete. Athletes who entered in 1983 had trained with the latest gear, special diets, and support teams, prepared for intense running and scheduled sleep breaks to conserve energy.
But Cliff Young showed up without any of these luxuries. He wore work boots, loose-fitting clothes, and carried nothing more than his relentless spirit and a strong pair of legs honed by years of working on his family farm.
At the starting line, the sight of Young was bewildering to both spectators and his competitors. Not only was he older than most of the runners, but he also appeared out of place among the elite athletes. His gait, too, was unusual—a slow, shuffling run that seemed inefficient and cumbersome next to the well-trained strides of his opponents. When reporters questioned him about his intentions, Young casually replied that he’d grown up herding sheep and was used to running for days across his family’s vast farmland in Beech Forest, Victoria.
People thought his entry was a curiosity at best or a quirky mistake at worst. However, as the race progressed, it became clear that Young was not there for publicity—he was genuinely determined to finish.
Unlike his competitors, Young employed a method that defied conventional endurance racing strategy. While the rest of the runners adhered to a strict schedule, running for about 18 hours and resting for six, Young skipped the sleep breaks entirely. He ran almost continuously, day and night, employing his now-famous “Young Shuffle,” a seemingly inefficient but surprisingly effective technique that allowed him to conserve energy and maintain a steady pace.
As the days passed, what seemed to be a tactical disadvantage began to reveal itself as Young’s secret weapon. His shuffle proved efficient, allowing him to steadily close the gap on the more rested runners each night. By the final days of the race, the 61-year-old was in the lead, astounding everyone who had doubted his ability.
On the sixth day, Cliff Young crossed the finish line in Melbourne as the race’s victor, clocking in at 5 days, 15 hours, and 4 minutes. Not only had he won, but he had also smashed the previous record by nearly two days. Young’s persistence, willpower, and unexpected approach turned him into an instant legend. His win was particularly remarkable given the odds and the fact that he had run without taking any extended rest.
After the race, Young became a national hero. He reportedly declined the $10,000 prize money, dividing it among the other competitors, believing they all deserved it. This act of generosity only cemented his status as a folk hero, admired for his humility and kindness as much as for his athletic prowess.
Cliff Young’s victory left a lasting impact on ultra-running. His story demonstrated that mental resilience and grit could sometimes surpass even the most refined athletic training. His shuffle technique also gained popularity, later influencing ultra-marathon runners who recognized its efficiency for long-distance endurance. Today, the “Young Shuffle” is a technique employed by many who appreciate its effectiveness for conserving energy over extreme distances.
Young continued to run in ultra-marathons well into his 70s, inspiring countless athletes and people worldwide. His life and career became a powerful reminder that determination and self-belief could help people overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.
Cliff Young’s story resonates to this day because it challenges traditional ideas of physical limits and proves that age is just a number. He showed that courage, commitment, and an open mind to unconventional approaches could turn the impossible into reality. For ultra-marathoners and enthusiasts around the world, the story of Cliff Young remains a cherished legend, a testament to the power of persistence and the human spirit.
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=126166.0
