He wasn’t an elite athlete. He wasn’t even wearing proper running shoes. He was Cliff Young, a potato farmer in his 60s who shuffled his way into Australian sporting legend by winning the 1983 Sydney to Melbourne ultramarathon. This Monday, ABC’s “Australian Story” revisits the remarkable tale of the man who, against all odds, conquered a grueling five-day race in gumboots.
The episode revisits the race itself, capturing the initial disbelief and even concern among Young’s competitors. Could this unassuming man, with his unconventional running style, truly endure what seasoned athletes considered a nearly impossible feat? As we know, the answer is a resounding yes.
But “Australian Story” goes beyond the finish line. Through interviews with friends, fellow runners, and journalist Neil Kearney, the profile paints a portrait of the man behind the myth. We hear about his unique training regimen in the Otway Ranges and the impact his victory had, not just on the sport, but on the Australian psyche. He became a folk hero, his simplicity seen as a refreshing contrast to the often-inflated world of professional sports.
The episode also looks at the controversies that followed Young’s win, including his brief and much-publicised marriage to a woman considerably younger than himself. Yet, as former trainer Mike Tonkin observes, despite it all, Young remained an “ordinary bloke” with extraordinary abilities.
“Australian Story” offers a blend of nostalgia and insight, revisiting a moment that captured the nation’s imagination. Tune in to ABC on Monday, 24 March at 8pm to relive the legend of Cliff Young.
