09/27/2025
I’ve heard this gentleman’s story before and he was a fascinating person. Lifestyle and willpower will win out every time. Personal perspective is also a powerful thing. Ultras are probably less daunting to a guy who grew up constantly running as a part of his lifestyle. It’s amazing to observe high levels of adaptation. I was hiking the Napoli Coast in Kauai years ago and was worn out and tired. Sun beaten, I was thinking I had not packed enough water, sunscreen and snacks. A surfer with no shoes, no shirt and a broken board came cruising past me on the rocks. He had hiked a decent haul from Hannakapia Beach. He offered up a friendly greeting and kept right on going. He was a living example of adaptation. He was local, he was surfing treacherous waters and hiking out a pretty rugged trail in bare feet. This was a very normal experience for him. If we want to be better endurance athletes, we might consider these examples. The longer I coach, the more I see that lifestyle is key to success in endurance sports and that perspective is a powerful thing.
In 1983, the grueling 875-kilometer Sydney-to-Melbourne Ultramarathon drew elite athletes from around the world, young runners equipped with the latest gear and backed by sponsors. Among them was Cliff Young, a humble 57-year-old farmer in work clothes and rubber boots. Without any formal training or racing experience, Cliff quietly positioned himself at the starting line, ready to run just as he'd done his entire life while herding sheep.
Growing up on his family's vast, eight-square-mile farm, Cliff had never used cars or horses; his own legs were his transport. Whenever storms approached, he'd run tirelessly across the farm to gather up the family's 2,000 sheep, sometimes for days at a time. This lifestyle gave him endurance few could match. When Cliff discovered ultramarathons late in life, he embraced them with the same resolve, never considering age an obstacle.
On race day, the spectators and media were astonished. Here stood an elderly man without a crew, sponsor, or even a plan for rest. Competitors typically ran 18 hours a day, then slept for six, finishing in about five days. But Cliff wasn't aware of this strategy he simply kept moving forward continuously, day and night. Though he lagged behind during daylight, he steadily gained ground overnight while everyone else rested.
By the final stretch, Cliff was ahead, and he crossed the finish line in 5 days, 15 hours, and 4 minutes, beating the nearest runner by ten hours.
His victory inspired the entire nation, yet Cliff remained modest. He refused to accept the $10,000 prize money for himself, instead dividing it equally among the other competitors. This generous gesture, coupled with his incredible determination, transformed him into an Australian hero.
Cliff continued to run, even attempting a 16,000-kilometer journey to raise funds for homeless children. Despite battling cancer in later years, at age 78, he set a new world record in a six-day race in 2000. Cliff Young passed away in 2003, leaving behind an enduring legacy of perseverance and kindness, inspiring runners and dreamers everywhere!
