Continued Inspirationīut Cliff wasn’t done. Instead of pocketing his winnings and heading back to the farm, Cliff decided to give away his prize – sharing it among his fellow runners, much to their delight. He hadn’t realized there was any prize money involved. But when he was handed the $10,000 prize money, Cliff was shocked. By the last night, that signature shuffle wasn’t so funny anymore – it had powered him right through to first position.Īnd that’s how Cliff Young, a 61-year-old farmer, set a new world record for one of the most grueling marathons in the world.Ĭliff was crowned the winner, and the world cheered with him.
He intended to run constantly, completing the marathon without stopping until he made it past the finish line.īy refusing to stop for sleep, Cliff narrowed his gap, edging closer and closer to the front of the pack. The Tortoise and the HareĪccording to Cliff, it was all part of the plan. Cliff didn’t even seem to be running properly – he had a slow shuffle that put him in danger of injury, let alone completing the course. The enthralled crowds watching on the sidelines and around the world were bemused, intrigued, and very entertained. In the first miles of the race, Cliff was quickly left trailing behind his more experienced competitors. They weren’t so sure and, from the moment the runners left the starting blocks, it looked like the skeptics would be proved right. It took a long time, but I’d always catch them. Sometimes I would have to run those sheep for two or three days. “I grew up on a farm where we couldn’t afford horses or tractors, and the whole time I was growing up, whenever the storms would roll in, I’d have to go out and round up the sheep. He told the curious press that his hard-working background gave him all the skills and endurance he’d need to finish the race, saying: When questioned by the media, Cliff was optimistic about his chances. He made a strange sight – standing in his everyday clothes with his race number proudly displayed on the back of his shirt. Young strolled to the starting blocks wearing overalls and work boots. Most of these seasoned runners are young (generally under 30) and have the backing of high-level sports sponsors such as Nike.īut all that changed in 1983 when a 61-year-old competitor by the name of Cliff Young entered the fray. It can take up to five days to cross the finish line, so only athletes at the top of their game typically dare to take it on. This elite event is thought to be one of the world’s toughest ultra-marathons. Every year, thousands of runners converge on Australia to run the annual 543.7-mile (875-kilometer) endurance course from Sydney to Melbourne.
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