Cliff Young (athlete)

Albert Ernest Clifford Young OAM (8 February 1922[1] – 2 November 2003[2]) was an Australian[2] athlete from Beech Forest, Victoria.[5] As a child, Young was forced to round up the stock on foot, as the family were very poor during the great depression and could not afford horses.[1] In 1979, at the age of 56, he competed in the Adidas Sun Superun 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) race which crossed the West Gate Bridge in Melbourne.[7] In late 1982, after training for months around the Otway Ranges, Young attempted to break New Zealander Siegfried "Ziggy" Bauer's then world record for 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of 11 days and 23 hours.He completed 6,520 kilometres of the 16,000-kilometre run, but had to pull out because his only crew member became ill.[3] In 2000, Young achieved a world age record in a six-day race in Victoria.[citation needed] In 2010, comedian Hannah Gadsby named their Sydney Comedy Festival show "The Cliff Young Shuffle" in tribute.The telemovie starred Kevin Harrington as Young, with his race support team played by Roy Billing as his coach Wally, and Joshua Hine as Paul.
Memorial to Young in the form of a gumboot in Beech Forest, Victoria
Cliff Young memorial plaque
QueenslandSydney to Melbourne UltramarathonathleteBeech Forest, Victoriagreat depressionhorsesWest Gate BridgeMelbourneMelbourne MarathonOtway RangesWestfield Sydney to Melbourne UltramarathonWestfield ParramattaWestfield Doncastergumbootstortoise and hareColac, VictoriaCliff Young Australian Six-Day RaceMedal of the Order of AustraliaRon GrantWestfieldHannah GadsbySydney Comedy FestivaltelemovieKevin HarringtonRoy BillingKrew BoylanJoan SydneyAnne TenneyThe Sydney Morning HeraldThe AgeThe Newcastle HeraldText PublishingThe World TodayAustralian Broadcasting Corporation