How an Old Farmer Outsmarted the Fastest Runners in the World

Summary

Cliff Young, a 61-year-old potato farmer from Australia, stunned the world by winning the 1983 Sydney to Melbourne ultramarathon, an 875 km race typically reserved for elite athletes. Despite having no experience in ultramarathons and using an unconventional shuffle technique, Cliff outlasted the professionals, running continuously while they rested. His victory, achieved with sheer determination and an unorthodox strategy, shattered the race record by two days. Cliff's story, which includes his generosity in sharing prize money, became legendary, and his unique running style, the 'Young Shuffle,' is now adopted by ultramarathon runners worldwide.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cliff Young, a 61-year-old potato farmer, entered the Sydney to Melbourne ultramarathon in 1983 with no formal marathon experience.
• 😀 The race was an 875 km, 7-day long challenge, attracting some of the world’s best professional marathon runners.
• 😀 Cliff’s unconventional approach to running—called the 'Young Shuffle'—was a slow, energy-efficient technique learned from chasing sheep on his farm.
• 😀 Despite being mocked by spectators and fellow competitors, Cliff showed confidence in his ability and focused on his goal.
• 😀 The professional athletes used high-tech gear and followed strict race strategies, while Cliff had only basic gear and a small support crew.
• 😀 Cliff’s strategy of running continuously without sleep, unlike the other runners who rested, began to pay off as the race progressed.
• 😀 The professionals scoffed at Cliff’s chances, believing he wouldn’t last more than a few hours, but he persisted through exhaustion.
• 😀 Cliff's perseverance allowed him to take the lead, with other competitors wondering if he had hitched a ride or got lost.
• 😀 In the final stages of the race, Cliff’s body started to show signs of fatigue, but his determination kept him going, even when injury slowed him down.
• 😀 Cliff won the race by over 10 hours, finishing with a time of 5 days, 15 hours, and 4 minutes, breaking the previous record by two days.

Q & A

What is the Sydney to Melbourne ultramarathon, and why is it significant?

The Sydney to Melbourne ultramarathon is an 875 km, seven-day foot race that is considered one of the most challenging and dangerous in the world. It attracts professional runners from around the globe and tests endurance to the extreme.

How did Cliff Young, a 61-year-old potato farmer, end up competing in the ultramarathon?

Cliff Young decided to enter the Sydney to Melbourne ultramarathon after announcing his intention to do so in his small town of Beach Forest, Victoria. Despite never having run an ultramarathon before, Cliff believed that his experience of chasing sheep for days on end prepared him for the race.

What was the initial reaction of Cliff's neighbors and the media to his entry into the race?

Cliff's neighbors were skeptical and thought he had lost his mind. They found his running technique odd, and many believed he wouldn't make it far in such a demanding race. The media also doubted his chances, questioning why he was even allowed to compete.

How did Cliff's gear and support crew differ from that of the other competitors?

Cliff's gear was simple and basic compared to the high-tech equipment used by professional runners. He wore old trousers with ventilation holes, worn sneakers, and his support crew consisted of his brother and a few friends, relying on vegetables from the farm and occasional cups of tea for sustenance.

What was the unexpected conversation Cliff had with professional runner Joe Record?

Cliff and Joe Record, a professional runner, spoke before the race, and Joe joked about splitting the prize money if either of them won. Cliff was surprised to learn about the $10,000 prize money, having no prior knowledge of it, and they agreed to the deal.

Why did Cliff's running strategy differ from the rest of the competitors?

Cliff, unlike the other runners, had no idea about the accepted ultramarathon strategy of running for 18 hours and sleeping for 6. He thought that the race was simply a longer version of chasing sheep, and he decided to run continuously without sleep, which turned out to be a crucial advantage.

What role did the mistake with the alarm clock play in Cliff's success?

Cliff's support crew mistakenly set the alarm for 2:30 a.m. instead of 5:30 a.m., causing Cliff to start running earlier than planned. As he continued running and felt good, he decided not to sleep for the rest of the race, which contributed to his lead over the other runners.

How did the other runners and the media react when they learned Cliff was in the lead?

The other runners and the media initially doubted that Cliff was in the lead, assuming he must have gotten lost or hitched a ride. However, as the race progressed and his lead grew, it became clear that Cliff was indeed leading the race, which astonished both spectators and competitors.

What challenges did Cliff face during the final stages of the race?

As the race neared its end, Cliff's body began to show signs of exhaustion, and he tripped, injuring his shoulder. Despite the pain and fatigue, he continued running, eventually increasing his pace as he saw the finish line in the distance.

What happened after Cliff crossed the finish line, and how did he handle the prize money?

Cliff crossed the finish line victorious, completing the race in 5 days, 15 hours, and 4 minutes, breaking the previous record. After winning the $10,000 prize, he decided to give $2,000 to each of the other finishers, including Joe Record, who received the remaining $3,000.