Almanac Ultramarathons: Cliff Young – The Legend from the Otways

Cliff Young

The Legend from the Otways

 

When I learnt, the ABC was going to have an episode of Australian Story on Cliff Young I decided I would write this story (the story was screened on Monday, March 24). The reason for this is I was there the night Cliff shuffled across the finishing line at Doncaster’s Westfield Shoppingtown. The night is burnt into my mind as one of my fondest sporting memories.

 

I decided I would write this piece before I saw the show as I wanted to maintain the romantic – not a term generally associated with me – memory of the night. It was a magical night. It will be interesting to see how robust my romantic memory is. History and paramours would say not overly.

 

For those who don’t know, Cliff won the first Sydney to Melbourne foot race in 1983. It’s a fascinating tale.

 

Let’s Begin

 

Thinking back, it’s hard to tell how popular the 1983 Sydney to Melbourne race would have become without Albert Ernest Clifford Young. Cliff, the farmer from the Otways who spent his days running after cows in gumboots. The other runners were all experienced ultra-distance runners.

 

At the start line, Cliff was the only one wearing long rain pants with holes cut in them. The others wore clothes more suited to running which tends to make sense.

 

Interest in the race had amplified as the days went by due to Cliff taking the lead early and his seemingly oblivious need for sleep. It really did have all the hallmarks of a fairy-tale, a Cinderella story. Will the farmer out of nowhere beat the pros? Will this unique character from the wet and cold of the Otways who chases cows beat the runners who spend all their time, well, running?

 

 

To the Final Night

 

With Cliff closing in on Doncaster Shopping Town and a midnight finish looking possible there was only one thing to do. Get to Shoppingtown to see the great man win the race.

 

I can’t recall the day or date of the finish, but my memory has it being a cool autumn night, maybe in May, and possibly a Thursday*. However, onwards we go.

 

It was around 11pm that I decided to head up to Shoppingtown to see Cliff shuffle in. By the time I arrived half of Melbourne were already there. All the area around the finishing line, which was under the awning of the front entrance of Shoppingtown, was jam packed with people. The carpark in front of the entrance was like standing room at a VFL Grand Final. The only spot I could find to watch was on the downhill side corner of Doncaster Rd and Manningham Rd. There were people everywhere. It seemed like the whole of Doncaster Rd down the hill towards North Balwyn was five deep with spectators. You could sense the anticipation and excitement in the air, you could almost touch it. It really was special.

 

It was probably an hour before I saw the first sign of Cliff approaching. The beacon was a lit-up pulsating mass of humans inching their way up Doncaster Rd, the stretch of bitumen which was now Cliff’s running track for the final few kilometres. The glow of light was from the TV lights and support vehicles following Cliff. In my mind I could see all the way down Doncaster Rd to the High St intersection**.  As the glow became closer it was evident there was a big circle of people – spectators, and supporters – running with Cliff. You could hear the noise as well. It was disjointed cheering and support for Cliff, and undecipherable. The circle was moving up and down in, what appeared to be, time with Cliff’s gait. They were the pulsating mass.

 

I caught my first glimpse of Cliff when he was about 50m from me. Soon Cliff was there, level with me, almost touchable, but also in his own world. Even though Cliff was surrounded by a large crowd, he seemed oblivious to it all***. The wave of cheering I could hear coming up Doncaster Rd soon engulfed me. I remember spontaneously yelling and cheering as loud as I could. Seeing Cliff run by was like a religious experience (I’m not religious so does that make it only an experience?). I wasn’t expecting to be moved like I was. It was an incredibly strong visceral response.

 

When Cliff turned left into Manningham Rd for the last 200m of the race the gathered crowd by the finish line let out a huge roar. I couldn’t get close. The only way I knew Cliff had crossed the finish line was when the cheering became even louder. The rest of us who could not see the finish also cheered, yelled, and clapped for the mighty Otways Farmer, Cliff Young and his historic win. I’m glad I was there.

 

The Chairman

 

 

Footnotes

 

*It was Monday, May 2, 1983, though Cliff finished on Tuesday, May 3 at 1.34am. The race began 10.30am on Wednesday, April 27, 1983, at the Parramatta Westfield Shopping Centre in Sydney. Cliff took 5 days, 15 hours, 4 minutes to finish the race. Second was George Perdon in 6 days, 1 hour, 0 minutes. Third was Siegfried Bauer in 6 days, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

 

**After checking, it’s not possible to see down Doncaster Rd to High St. Cliff was probably near the Eastern Golf Club which no longer exists and is now a housing estate.

 

***Cliff later said there was one person in the following crowd who kept yelling something inane which he found very annoying.

 

 

 

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