Clifford Young Australian farmer, sportsman Date of Birth: 08.02.1922 Country: Australia

1. Early Life and Family
2. Vegetarianism and Athleticism
3. Victory at the Sydney-Melbourne Ultramarathon
4. Post-Victory and Personal Life
5. Legacy

Albert Ernest Young (aka Cliff Young) - An Australian Potato Farmer and Ultrarunner

Early Life and Family

Albert Ernest Young, known as Cliff Young, was born on March 14, 1922, on a potato farm in Beech Forest, Victoria, Australia. His family owned a 2,000-acre farm with approximately 2,000 sheep. From a young age, Young developed a habit of walking long distances, as it was the most practical mode of transportation for a farmer.

Vegetarianism and Athleticism

In 1973, Young became a strict vegetarian, a lifestyle he maintained for the rest of his life. In late 1982, at the age of 60, he attempted to break the record for the 1,600-kilometer Perth-Sydney Ultramarathon, previously set by Siggy Bauer at 11 days and 23 hours. However, Young was forced to drop out halfway through the race due to inadequate training and experience.

Victory at the Sydney-Melbourne Ultramarathon

Undeterred, Young returned to the running scene in 1983, triumphing in the inaugural Sydney-Melbourne Ultramarathon. The race covered 875 kilometers, starting at Sydney's largest shopping center and finishing at Melbourne's largest shopping center. Young ran at a relatively slow pace, falling behind the leaders on the first day. However, he strategically paced himself, saving his energy for the nighttime while others slept. This tactic allowed him to gain a significant lead that he held onto for the remainder of the race, eventually finishing a remarkable 10 hours ahead of his nearest competitor. Young stated that he relied on his experience chasing sheep for days without rest. He also imagined chasing a particularly quick sheep before an approaching storm to help him endure the distance. Young completed the ultramarathon in 5 days, 15 hours, and 4 minutes, breaking the previous course record held by all six finishers.

Post-Victory and Personal Life

Young's incredible victory propelled him into the spotlight. He participated in several more ultramarathons but never replicated his historic feat, failing to claim first place again. Over his running career, Young is estimated to have run approximately 20,000 kilometers. After his ultramarathon victory, Young married Mary Howell in 1983. Howell was considerably younger than Young, with an age difference of 39 years. The wedding was sponsored by the Westfield company, which organized the Sydney-Melbourne Ultramarathon. The couple divorced five years later. Young passed away on November 2, 2003, at the age of 81, after a five-year battle with cancer.

Legacy

Young's relaxed and seemingly effortless running style has been adopted by many ultrarunners, referred to as "the Cliff Young method." Three winners of the Sydney-Melbourne Ultramarathon have employed this technique. His extraordinary story of determination and resilience continues to inspire runners worldwide.