Potato Farmer Shocks Australia: The Ultramarathon Legend

The Potato Farmer Who Shocked Australia

In 1983, something truly extraordinary happened at the inaugural Sydney to Melbourne ultramarathon. A 61-year-old potato farmer named Cliff Young, a man who most people wouldn't have bet a dollar on, won. And not just won – he smashed the existing record. Honestly, who saw that coming?

A Shuffle to Remember

Cliff didn't run like the other competitors. He shuffled. Yes, you read that right. He shuffled his way across hundreds of miles, in his gumboots. While the other runners focused on speed and technique, Cliff just kept moving, his unique style somehow powering him forward. It was mesmerizing, and confusing, and utterly captivating. John Connellan, a fellow competitor, said it best: “Everyone who was alive at that time remembers Cliff as much as they remember the man landing on the moon.” It was more than just a race; it was a national phenomenon.

More Than Just Gumboots and Grit

This wasn't some overnight fluke. Australian Story shows us that Cliff's victory was the result of a lifetime spent running through the Otway Ranges – in those same gumboots. His dedication, something many might have dismissed as quirky, was actually his secret weapon. His friend, journalist Neil Kearney, described him as “a simple man… but not a simpleton.” He was a quiet, determined force of nature.

A Legacy of Never Giving Up

Cliff's story, unfortunately cut short by his death in 2003, continues to resonate. His short-lived marriage is a poignant part of his story, but it's his incredible achievement that endures. His legacy isn't about winning a race; it's about proving that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things. It's about the power of relentless dedication and a refusal to give up, no matter how insurmountable the odds might seem. His former trainer, Mike Tonkin, summed it up perfectly: “This is just a real ordinary bloke… but real ordinary blokes are capable of extraordinary things.” That’s why Cliff Young's story remains so powerful. It reminds us that we're all capable of more than we think. It's a story about the human spirit, about perseverance, and about finding strength where others see only limitations. And it’s a story worth remembering. Don’t miss tonight’s Australian Story at 8pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.