The Unlikely Ultra Runner: The Cliff Young StroyThe Unlikely Ultra Runner: The Cliff Young Stroy
Addict II Athlete Podcast
Host Blu Robinson tells the story of Cliff Young, a 61‑year‑old farmer who won an ultramarathon against elite runners, and links his grit to core recovery principles. The episode blends running history, personal anecdotes, and practical lessons for people rebuilding their lives after addiction.
48:02•24 Jun 2025
From Potato Fields to Ultramarathons: What a 61‑Year‑Old Farmer Can Teach Recovery
Episode Overview
- Endurance and consistency matter more than speed, both in ultrarunning and in long-term recovery.
- Your past, age, or background do not have to define what you can attempt or achieve.
- Humility and generosity – sharing your wins and supporting others – are signs of real success.
- Finding your own style, like Cliff Young’s unique shuffle, can be as effective as following traditional paths.
- Believing in yourself when others doubt you is crucial for facing big challenges in sobriety and life.
“"Movement equals healing."”
What makes a recovery story truly inspiring? This instalment of Addict II Athlete puts a weathered Australian potato farmer at the heart of a lesson on addiction recovery, resilience, and doing things your own way. Coach and host Blu Robinson talks straight to people in addiction recovery, their families, and anyone who’s ever felt counted out.
With no guest in the studio, he shifts into storyteller mode, unpacking the legendary tale of Cliff Young, the 61‑year‑old farmer who stunned the running world by winning the 1983 Sydney to Melbourne ultramarathon in work boots and overalls. Blu starts by chatting about why running sits at the core of the Addict II Athlete approach: it’s cheap, accessible, and, like recovery, “kind of sucks” at first.
From there, he walks through the history of ultrarunning, building up to the Sydney–Melbourne race and the unlikely hero who would change it forever. You’ll hear how Cliff’s life of chasing sheep across 2,000 acres trained him to run for days, how his awkward "Cliff Young shuffle" beat elite athletes, and why he shocked a nation by giving away all his prize money.
Blu links each part of Cliff’s journey to recovery principles: endurance over speed, defying expectations, humility, and self-belief. "Movement equals healing" becomes a running theme (pun fully intended), as Blu shows how long‑distance effort – on trails or in sobriety – is less about talent and more about staying in motion when everyone assumes you’ll quit.
Told in an easy, conversational style with a few jokes and plenty of heart, this story is ideal for anyone who feels too old, too broken, or too far behind to start again. It might make you ask yourself: if a 61‑year‑old farmer can outrun the pros, what’s actually possible for you in recovery?
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