Modern runners owe a lot to this giant of the sport. Most now go without sleep, putting their stamina to the test by running all day and all night. You’ve probably seen the shuffle in action – it’s helped at least three champions of the Sydney to Melbourne marathon earn their spot on the top podium.Īnd marathon runners continue to use Cliff’s tactics. The ‘Young-Shuffle’ has earned a place in history all by itself, becoming popular among pro runners as it helps them conserve energy over long distances. The veteran runner made it through 16,000 km before stopping because a crew member was ill.Ĭliff Young died in 2003 at the age of 81, but his legend lives on. In 1997, when Cliff was 76, he set out to raise funds for homeless kids by running all 16,000 km of the Australian coastline. This time he took 7th place, but that’s still a remarkable accomplishment given that he was running with a displaced hip. The very next year, he came back to defend his title. 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. When dawn broke, the other runners were amazed to find him still plodding along.Īccording to Cliff, it was all part of the plan. That first night, he put his head down and continued his slow shuffle throughout the night and into the early morning. This leaves most participants with only six hours of sleep a night.Īs an inexperienced newbie, Cliff had no such targets. To finish the Australian ultra-marathon, runners generally need to hit 18 hours of running a day. 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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