Cliffy

Cliff Young, an Australian farmer from the small town of Lancefield in Victoria, defied conventions in 1983 by winning the 875-kilometer Ultra-marathon in Western Australia. Not only did his victory make him a national hero, but Young's journey from a humble beginnings to achieving incredible success against all odds left the nation in awe. Cliffy is his story, a film that delves into the life of the man who went from an unassuming dairy farmer to the winner of the grueling ultra-marathon event. Growing up in the late fifties and sixties, Cliff Young was no stranger to hard work. He spent his days on the family dairy farm, working from an early age to help his parents with their farm. But what drove Cliff was more than just a desire to help his family; he had an innate passion for sports that set him apart from the rest of his community. Despite never pursuing competitive sports, Young maintained a remarkable ability, honed through his years of working on the dairy farm. This physical prowess would prove crucial in his future as a long-distance runner. As Young grew older, so did his family responsibilities. With no formal education, he married his childhood sweetheart, Dawn, and they had several children together. However, despite the passing of time and the increasing demands of life, Young never lost his desire to push his physical limits. On the side, he took up running, initially to keep fit. But as his passion for running grew, Young began to push himself harder, gradually turning to longer distances. This shift in focus marked a new chapter in his life, one that would change the trajectory of his existence. Young trained on his dairy farm in gumboots, which became somewhat of an emblem for his unorthodox approach to long-distance running. Many of his friends and acquaintances often questioned his methods, believing that his technique would hinder his chances of success. But Young refused to listen to their criticism and continued with his unorthodox training regimens. In this context, Cliffy is as much a story about the power of conviction and determination as it is about the extraordinary feat achieved by Young. In 1983, Young decided to enter his first ultra-marathon, a 880-kilometer event held in Perth, Western Australia. The organizers of the event, the 'Six-Day', had been held every two years since 1971, and it was a highly respected competition in the running community. Despite Young's inexperience and lack of preparation, he was convinced that he had what it took to win. As the event began, many of Young's competitors started at a frenetic pace, expecting that they would establish a lead early on before settling into a comfortable rhythm. However, unbeknownst to Young's opponents, his unorthodox training in gumboots allowed him to maintain an incredible endurance throughout the event. The key to Young's endurance was his ability to run in what is known as a "shuffle-run-trot" pattern. This unique gait would eventually allow Young to lap his competitors, one by one. The Six-Day is divided into six 146-kilometer stages, with each stage separated by a rest period. As Young progressed through the event, he began to gain attention from the other competitors, who started to view him as a formidable threat. However, it wasn't until the third stage when Young's determination and unique running technique truly caught the attention of his competitors. Young had caught up to the leader, and the two runners were now racing neck and neck. At this stage, the Australian public, as well as the media, began to take notice of Cliff Young's remarkable performance. The media attention turned Young into an unlikely national hero, with many people marveling at his determination. Despite facing initial skepticism from the running community, Young's performance in the Six-Day would be one for the ages. As Cliff continued to outlast his opponents and lap them, the stage was set for a dramatic final showdown. The two main contenders, Young and a top runner from New Zealand, went head-to-head in the final stage of the Six-Day. However, it was Young who emerged victorious, crossing the finish line at the top of the event. The moment when Young took the lead, much like the day of the event itself, has gone down in Australian history. Young's victory marked more than just a milestone for the individual; it was a defining moment for Australia. As an ordinary person who had transcended the boundaries of societal expectations, Young's extraordinary story of determination, perseverance, and grit inspired many to strive for greatness in their own lives. And so, Young's journey from becoming an unlikely sporting hero to his transformation into an Australian icon serves as a powerful reminder of the potential that lies within each of us, waiting to be unleashed. The true-to-life story of Cliff Young's Six-Day victory was brought to life by director Heath Davis in Cliffy, a biographical drama that delves into the heart of this incredible achievement. With its gripping narrative and strong performances, Cliffy is a film that celebrates the indomitable human spirit, an inspiration not just for the running community but for anyone who's ever dared to dream big.