66 replies to this topic

[thomo]

Details of the movie

Quote

Cliff Young, the 61 year-old Victorian potato farmer, who grabbed the world headlines when he beat the finest distance runners in the 1983 Sydney to Melbourne ultra marathon, will be the subject of a new telemovie which has just been green lit by ABC TV.

Wonder if there will be a call for runners to be extras in the movie.

Edited by thomo, 23 January 2012 - 09:42 AM.

[greydove]

thomo, on 23 January 2012 - 09:34 AM, said:

Details of the movie



Wonder if there will be a call for runners to be extras in the movie.

'Casting is currently underway with filming to start in mid April across Albury-Wodonga and regional Victoria.'


So you'd better BE FAST!

[thomo]

greydove, on 23 January 2012 - 09:47 AM, said:

'Casting is currently underway with filming to start in mid April across Albury-Wodonga and regional Victoria.'


So you'd better BE FAST!

I thinking of runners in that region.

If I was cast, they would really be stretching the movies credibility.

[slowmo]

On Sunday morning I was trotting down a little track that links a couple of the local parks, and met a grey haired runner wearing gum boots coming in the opposite direction. Seriously.

At the time I thought they must be channeling the great Cliff but now I wonder if it was someone getting into character for their audition ?

slowmo

Edited by slowmo, 23 January 2012 - 10:51 AM.

[chrisso]

slowmo, on 23 January 2012 - 10:50 AM, said:

On Sunday morning I was trotting down a little track that links a couple of the local parks, and met a grey haired runner wearing gum boots coming in the opposite direction. Seriously.

At the time I thought they must be channeling the great Cliff but now I wonder if it was someone getting into character for their audition ?

slowmo

Yep sounds like some Stanislavski Method Acting right there.

[plu]

Hi all,

That is great news.

cheers Plu

[Grechy]

Very interesting. Looking forward to watching it!

[Twopennys]

Not convinced that the ABC Head of Fiction commenting augurs well for authenticity....

Edited by Twopennys, 23 January 2012 - 11:42 AM.

[RMC]

Should be interesting.

Worth noting Cliff Young was a decent ultra runner and not just some old farmer who wore gumboots. I hope that message comes across. A few people I've had chats with over the past 20 years (non runners) spoke of him as just a farmer/non-athlete. His 235.9k in Adel for 24hr track put him 11th on the all time Aust list. That's pretty decent when he was 63!  Aus track rankings (aura).

[mgi11a]

I often wondered what his credentials were.
No story I ever seen on him gave away nothing but some old codger running around his farm in gumboots who sacrificed them to run the westfield.
Anyone else have some of his other ultra feats to share.

mgilla

[RMC]

mgi11a, on 23 January 2012 - 05:14 PM, said:

Anyone else have some of his other ultra feats to share.

Cliff Young's running bio on ultralegends is worth a read.

[mgi11a]

Thanks RMC, certainly wasn't just a mug out for 1 event.
As someone said above, hope the whole story gets told.

[Jogger]

Quote

Cliff Young's running bio on ultralegends is worth a read

yep - running 6.31 for 80km before he ran westfield indicates he had a LOT of talent so wasn't really a total unknown.

[Ultraphil]

Great thread Gents and Great discussion.  I knew a fe wmonths ago that the ABC were trying to put something together and I know they had been doing some pretty intensive trawling of my website.  RMC was absolutely correct about the 235km that Cliffy did when he was 63.  Certainly up there as an athletic achievement.  I will be getting in touch with the Researcher from the ABC Films tomorrow, finding out what I can and reinforcing to them that if they have any questions about the sporting/athletic side of Cliffy and the Legend/Reality side to contact me. I will also try and find out about Extras for the film.

and for those that have forgotten the location of the Cliffy web site.

http://www.ultralege...om/cliff-young/

Regards

Phil

[MrUniqueName]

I can't wait for this - I only really name the name and not much about the man. And good on the ABC for taking on what should be an amazing story  

[plu]

HI all,

I am sure many have stories ( such as Bob Fickel etal) of Cliffy.  

This is my story. I was so excited when running one of the Westleigh half marathons in the 1990s.

I was running down  Quarter Sessions Road  opposite Philip Ruddock Park and I realised I was  next to Cliff Young.

We were at 18 km and it was like he was in a stroll in the park.

At first I was stuck for words , in awe and he was kind enough to chat to me for a few 100ms.  Will never forgot that experience.

I followed him up a few years later and purchased a book written by one of his relatives who now lives in Brisbane.  I will try and find the book.

cheers Plu

Edit: I just went looking for it.  I think I lent it out - anyone out there have have my copy?

[Paul Every]

RMC, on 23 January 2012 - 05:04 PM, said:

Should be interesting.

Worth noting Cliff Young was a decent ultra runner and not just some old farmer who wore gumboots. I hope that message comes across. A few people I've had chats with over the past 20 years (non runners) spoke of him as just a farmer/non-athlete. His 235.9k in Adel for 24hr track put him 11th on the all time Aust list. That's pretty decent when he was 63!  Aus track rankings (aura).

I agree with you, RMC.

Cliff's run at Adelaide was an Aust record at the time.

His 5 Days 15 hours for 875km in the inaugural Syd to Melb is impressive running by any measure.

Wonder if they need a skinny, long-haired, hippy runner to play Joe Record?  

[Ultraphil]

Yes I could see you playing Joe Record Paul!

[Davo]

The story I like most about Cliff is about the time he was in a track long-distance race, and the rain came on in a really heavy storm: the sort of storm where if you're driving you pull over and let it pass for a few minutes.
All the other runners dived for cover, but when the storm abated and they looked out, there was Cliff still going round and round....

[Ultraphil]

Yep was at Coburg.  I was there and think it was Cliffy, myself and one or two others at the most on the track!.....and my poor wife standing out in the rain getting me to put a jacket on!

[slowmo]

Really enjoying this thread, and Phil's pages, and learning a lot that I didn't know about the great man.

slowmo

[Ultraphil]

Thankyou Slowmo.  Its appreciated when people get something out of my Website.

[russell2pi]

Ditto, thank-you Phil I actually read through most of your site some time ago and got a lot out of it and am enjoying revisiting it. Your sig says "Keep Moving Forward" but it's important to document and remember the past, too.

[MrUniqueName]

Ultraphil, on 24 January 2012 - 09:45 AM, said:

Yep was at Coburg.  I was there and think it was Cliffy, myself and one or two others at the most on the track!

If they include that race in the movie, you could play yourself!  

[Ultraphil]

Tells a bit more about the news and possible story line:

http://www.geelongad...03461_news.html

Ive added a comment about resurrecting the 6 day race!  

I emailed the writer today.  No reply yet!

[TheRidler]

Look forward to seeing this. I lived in Colac Victoria for a while and saw him running around. He was a legend down there. It would be fascinating to hear the full storey.

Ridler

[age7875]

Well done ABC. Definitely looking forward to this one.

[Ultraphil]

Funny how another group of film people first looked at the concept of a Cliffy film a few years ago and have been beaten to the punch by the ABC.

[FarWest]

Great summary Phil.

Just reinforcing what a legend he was. I also hope the ABC due justice to Cliffy.

[KevinCassidy]

Paul Every, on 24 January 2012 - 07:02 AM, said:

I agree with you, RMC.

Cliff's run at Adelaide was an Aust record at the time.

His 5 Days 15 hours for 875km in the inaugural Syd to Melb is impressive running by any measure.

Wonder if they need a skinny, long-haired, hippy runner to play Joe Record?  

Well Paul, I thought you might fit the mould of Patrick Macke!!!   Now who, on earth could we get to play Bob Bruner!!!!

Many at the time thought Cliff's 235km Aus record in 1985 to be superior to his mighty Syd-Melb run.  He broke the record of a man 20 years his junior in blazing heat on the dusty and shade free Adelaide Harriers track.  And let's not forget his two wins at the old Manly 100 miler before he found fame.  Both years resulted in world class times of around 14:30.

The press loved publicising his "country bumpkin" image, but often forgot that he was a superb athlete way ahead of his time.

[Ultraphil]

Kevin said:

The press loved publicising his "country bumpkin" image, but often forgot that he was a superb athlete way ahead of his time.

Here here Kev.  Agreed with the rest of your thoughts as well!

Phil

[KevinCassidy]

Jogger, on 23 January 2012 - 07:34 PM, said:

yep - running 6.31 for 80km before he ran westfield indicates he had a LOT of talent so wasn't really a total unknown.

He had several sub 3 hour Melb marathons.  The ultra circle back then were well aware of Cliff's talent.  I still marvel at his 6:33 at age 65 for the Ballarat 50 miler, all rugged up against the sub zero temperatures and gale force winds....and beating my 27 year old self by three minutes!!

[KevinCassidy]

In all seriousness, I think Norman Yemm would be an ideal choice to play Cliff.

One of Australia's prominent local actors in the 60s and 70s with numerous appearances in Homicide, The Sullivans etc, he was also a class athlete competing at Stawell and was a regular winner of the 400 metre "Dandy Dollar Dash" which was run at halftime at the VFA football on Channel 10 in Melbourne during the late 70s.

His lean wiry frame was not unlike Cliff's

[Tony123]

Cant wait for the movie, Cliff was obviously a very talented runner.

Out of interest does anyone know what Cliff's best marathon time was. Did he run shorter stuff, any 10km runs earlier in his career?

[ausrunning]

He ran 4 MMs with a best of 3:02:53 (age 58). Incidentally, he entered as Albert.

[thomo]

KevinCassidy, on 27 January 2012 - 02:21 PM, said:

In all seriousness, I think Norman Yemm would be an ideal choice to play Cliff.

One of Australia's prominent local actors in the 60s and 70s with numerous appearances in Homicide, The Sullivans etc, he was also a class athlete competing at Stawell and was a regular winner of the 400 metre "Dandy Dollar Dash" which was run at halftime at the VFA football on Channel 10 in Melbourne during the late 70s.

His lean wiry frame was not unlike Cliff's

Maybe his son or grandson (if he has any,) Norman was born in 1933. I do remember Yemm on TV, showing my age.

[KevinCassidy]

ausrunning1, on 27 January 2012 - 03:13 PM, said:

He ran 4 MMs with a best of 3:02:53 (age 58). Incidentally, he entered as Albert.

I know he had sub threes to his credit but obviously they were not at Melbourne but probably at one of the many low key country marathons that were around at the time.

thomo, on 27 January 2012 - 03:23 PM, said:

Maybe his son or grandson (if he has any,) Norman was born in 1933. I do remember Yemm on TV, showing my age.

Didn't realise he was now 79/  A bit old for the role, perhaps!!

Whata bout the guy who played Terry on the Sullivans?  He would be in his 60s by now.

[ausrunning]

Kevin- An article on Phil's site said he ran 2:58. The same article said he ran the Geelong XC marathon as his first but I think he ran a BigM earier than this?

Also interesting to compare Perdon to Young. Perdon held the professional record - 2:19 - and I think this record still stands.


Michael

[backofthepack]

I believe Cliff did a bit of running with the Geelong Cross Country Club which was affiliated to the Victorian Cross Country League who ran the non track side of professional running. I ran with the VCCL in the eighties, including the occsional GCCC event in the Colac area and I recall him having the odd run.

Edited by backofthepack, 27 January 2012 - 05:54 PM.

[Davo]

Just as an aside, did Cliff do any weight training, yoga, stretching exercises, plyometrics or anything like that?
Or was his training all just running?

[backofthepack]

Davo, on 27 January 2012 - 06:10 PM, said:

Just as an aside, did Cliff do any weight training, yoga, stretching exercises, plyometrics or anything like that?
Or was his training all just running?

He probably got a fair bit of 'weight training' in by doing things around his potato farm.

[Jogger]

Quote

Just as an aside, did Cliff do any weight training, yoga, stretching exercises, plyometrics or anything like that?
Or was his training all just running?

This article mentions his other training and diet (vegetarian):
http://www.coolrunni...a/1997032.shtml

[Twopennys]

I have some photos of Cliff that I took of the 1984 Sydney to Melbourne Race (the year after he won). He was 62 then and I couldn't believe he'd run from Parramatta to Casula (where I took the shots) let alone that he was heading all the way to Melbourne!

There and then - I decided running was something I'd take up in my old age

Edited by Twopennys, 27 January 2012 - 10:43 PM.

[Paul Every]

KevinCassidy, on 27 January 2012 - 02:07 PM, said:

  Now who, on earth could we get to play Bob Bruner!!!!

That's very funny. Perhaps his wife?

And we need a stunt double to play Mary Hanudel!

[ausrunning]

Marathons:
Oct 79, 3:21 (BigM)
xxx 80, 3:xx (GCCC)
Oct 80, 3:02
Jan 81, 2:58
Oct 81, 3:04
Oct 82, 3:08

Before Oct 79 he was frequently competing at GCCC. Sydney to Melboune was Apr 83. Must be others not found yet.

[backofthepack]

ausrunning1, on 27 January 2012 - 05:35 PM, said:

Kevin- An article on Phil's site said he ran 2:58. The same article said he ran the Geelong XC marathon as his first but I think he ran a BigM earier than this?

Also interesting to compare Perdon to Young. Perdon held the professional record - 2:19 - and I think this record still stands.


Michael

Always difficult to define a 'professional record' but the fastest marathon by an Australian 'pro' athlete registered with a National Australian Athletic Confederation (ANAC) affiliated body was Leigh Taylor's 2.14.03 in the Professional Cross Country Club of Tasmania's marathon at Ulverstone, TAS in 1983.

This beat George Perdon's 2.19.56 recorded on the St Kilda to Aspendale and return course on 5/10/1967.

As far as 'world pro records' go, about the same time as Leigh Taylor's record run, a number of quality US and international marathoners belonging to the Association of Road Racing Athletes (ARRA), started running for major cash prizes in US road races and marathons in the US. Many were banned as professionals by the then International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), but this had little effect on the athletes as they continued running as 'pros' in the ARRA races, (marathon times in the 2.11 - 2.12 bracket being run) in preference to seeking reinstatement to run IAAF track.

Eventually after banning most of what would have been the marathon and 10,000m fields at the forthcoming LA Olympics, the IAAF relented on prize money and reinstated all those banned. Unfortunately in Australia, runners banned from amateur athletics because they had once taken a few dollars in any pro sport including the then VFL/VFA football, pro boxing or cycling, had to wait another few years before they could compete against and as amateur athletes.

OK, there endth the pro running sermon, back to ultras!

Edited by backofthepack, 28 January 2012 - 09:37 PM.

[Sprinter]

I think we should get Fossil to audition for the part.  

[Ultraphil]

Interesting stuff about Cliff's marathon times.

Like the quip about Bob Bruner..... a story that I think I only alluded to in the Westfield book.

[KevinCassidy]

ausrunning1, on 27 January 2012 - 05:35 PM, said:

Kevin- An article on Phil's site said he ran 2:58. The same article said he ran the Geelong XC marathon as his first but I think he ran a BigM earier than this?

Also interesting to compare Perdon to Young. Perdon held the professional record - 2:19 - and I think this record still stands.


Michael

He has a 2:58 from one of the old VMC marathons back in 81 or 82

George Perdon: Utterly amazing.  His 2:19 marathon when he was [I think] 40 plus, was out if this world.  He also owned the world 100 mile record of 12:25 [still ranked in the top ten, I believe] for many years

Paul Every, on 28 January 2012 - 08:07 AM, said:

That's very funny. Perhaps his wife?

And we need a stunt double to play Mary Hanudel!

HA HA HA HA HA. Love it.

[KevinCassidy]

Paul Every, on 28 January 2012 - 08:07 AM, said:

That's very funny. Perhaps his wife?

And we need a stunt double to play Mary Hanudel!

Can I put my hand up to play the race official hiding up a gum tree at 3am?