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* Not sure how
this web site will develop. Have received some great photos which will go
on. I would also like to fully update the race record I have for Cliff and
then get individual race stories. I will pass information on about how
Cliff's memory is going to live on.
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Ultra Running Legend, Cliff Young passed away at 5.20pm this afternoon(2nd
November 03) after a long illness. He was 81.
Instead of flowers for the
Funeral Service it is asked that people send a cheque or money order to
Waterbird Rescue c/o The Powers Twins P O Box 372 Golden Beach QLD
4551. The Twins and Cliff have been working for Waterbird Rescue for a
number of years on a voluntary basis and this would be a great way to
remember Cliff.
There was a Service held at Caloundra this Wednesday 5th Nov at 1030am for Cliff.
Spoke with Helen this evening (5th Nov). Apparently the Service was
beautiful. There were about 80 people there, 4 people spoke, there were
some songs and tea,coffee and biscuits afterwards. As we all know
Cliff wouldn't have liked a fuss. |
There
was a Memorial Service held for Cliff on 12 Nov 03 at the Colac
Bowling Club in Colac. There were close to 400 people in
attendance that included family and Cliff's friends from Colac and
the ultra running community. It was a wonderful occasion
with all aspects of Cliff's life being remembered. This included
Cliff the runner, Cliff the Bushman and Environmentalist and Cliff
the Family Man. There were a number of speakers who spoke on
different aspects of Cliff's life. A highlight for me was
listening to Cliff's brother, Syd singing a solo part of "I
am a Small part of the World" as part of the Lavers Hill
Choir. I don't think Colac, his family
or Ultrarunning will let the world forget about the spirit of
Cliff in a hurry. His spirit will live on.
Copy
of Programme - page 1, Copy
of Programme - page 2,
Copy of Programme - page 3, Copy
of Programme - page 4.
I
would also like to personally thank 3AK Radio station in Melbourne
for providing a copy of Cliff's song that was played at the
Service. They had it couriered from Sydney on the day of the
Service. That was nice.
President of
the Australian 6-day race, Bill Sutcliffe announced last night that
Memorial Square at Colac will be renamed the "Cliff Young Running
Track" for the duration of the 6-day race from the 16th to 22nd Nov
03. For further details go to www.colac.ultraoz.com.
He also announced that the 6-day race committee is commencing a push to
get the race renamed the "Cliff Young Australian 6-day Race".
This I'm absolutely wrapped about.
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Sixty
one year old Cliff Young became a household name in 1983 when he beat all
of the starters and won the first Westfield Sydney to Melbourne Ultra
Marathon. He wasn't known before the race - but was certainly
know after that. Apart from winning the inaugural Westfield Run,
Cliff also achieved many other brilliant performances in his ultra career
which included several Ultra age records. He was also the "Boy
from the Bush" with a larrikin wit and a heart of gold. This endeared
him to many people over the years
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2
Dec - With regards to the "article" in a supposed
top rating Women's magazine this week, please could people
remember Cliff the runner, Cliff the Bushman, Cliff the
Gentleman. He doesnt deserve what is being written.
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If you would like to email a tribute about Cliff please
do to me at ultraoz@iprimus.com.au.
I will make sure that it gets to Cliff's friends and family. I will also
post it on this site, so that all can share.
Tributes to Cliff:
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Dear all, May Cliff rest in peace.
A great athlete and a delightful person. It is so sad
that he is no longer with us. He was such a joy to be around.
David Sill
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Dear Phil,
The sad news from Cliff Young death created very sorry feelings
in my soul because another of the greatest Australian
ultra-runners (after George Perdon and Brian
Smith)is not with us any more. His name will remain
immortal as Cliff was an Australian hero and a great
figure of modern Australian history, because he inspired
millions of people around the world with his acheivements. Please
pass my deap sympathy to his relatives and tothe ultra-running community
in general. I feel twice sorry, because this loss
finds me to run a 3-day charity run in Cyprus and I
will be unable to be present at his funeral. Lets
wish and pray that his soul will rest in PEACE
sincerely
Yiannis Kouros
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I was saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Young, this AM. I had
never met the man, but was always inspired by his reputation "Down
Under" and world wide. To have accomplished what he did certainly
did qualify him as a legend and even more so as he did it at a time in
life when many have either retired, or have lost their ability to
compete at the top level, and he did that. His life and running are
truly an inspiration to anyone who looks at a total life, and not at a
single achievement.
I am especially honored and saddened, since it does
appear that I won the last Colac Cliff Young award while he was still
alive. The award, in perpetuity, should continue to serve as a beacon of
for those who "give it their best" and each presentation and
each person so honored will have on his or her mantle piece a bit of
history to honor his life.
Andrew Lovy, D.O.
I am sorry to hear
about the passing of Cliff Young. He has been my hero since my first six
day 20 years ago and have always envied his talent and toughness. There
will never be another Cliff Young.
Jim Skophammer
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Very sad to hear the news of Cliff (only heard it this morning), i was
only thinking of him when driving back through Colac yesterday.
Certainly a true Aussie Ultra legend and a great bloke too, remember
talking with him a little doing the old "10 K ?? Banana Run"
over the Westgate Bridge from Newport to Goschs Paddock, back in the
late 80's. If i remember correctly it was around 1990 or so Cliff did
the presentations at the Traralgon Marathon after finishing the race.
All the best,
Kelvin
Several weeks ago my kids did a study unit on the story of "The
Pumpkin Runner," for whom Mr. Young was the inspiration. We've been
meaning to seek out information on Mr. Young via the Internet and didn't
do so till today. Well, it seems we just missed him.
Nevertheless, his life reminds us that no image bearer of God is
ordinary. Tonight, in fact, our pastor spoke about Genesis 50:20 where
Joseph forgives his brothers in recognition of God's sovereign purposes:
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish
what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
Our pastor used Joseph's story, in part, to remind us how God's plan
and purpose is marvelously complex and cosmic in scale. When we simply
seek God's purpose for our lives and remain faithful to Him, we can not
only live our lives well, but also serve God's purpose for others.
I know nothing about Mr. Young's faith, but in learning of his
story-from the other side of our world-we're reminded of our pastor's
words, Joseph's words, and God's words.
Thanks "Cliffy." Our "gumboots off" to you.
Jim Heethuis,
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Thanks for simple good humour over the years. Thanks for
the courage that you have shown me and to never give up. Thanks for
showing me that anything is possible. Your memory will live on.
Phil
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Even though it has been expected for quite some time the passing
of our great friend CLIFF has (for want of a better word)
left me quite devastated. he was such a gentle man, gentleman too, he was
always a help to me & it was through lap counting & helping look
after Cliff & a few others that got me into the Ultra scene, he
was an inspiration & will remain so, he was loved
by many (including me) he will be sadly missed by many &
forgotten by none, it is I think an end to an era.
I can still see you Cliff coming through Doncaster in the early hours,
what a great night that was, what an achievement!!
May you rest in peace CLIFF my friend.
Sandy Kerr
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I was grieved to hear of the death of Cliff Young,a
great bloke and Aussie legend for so many years.Most know of him as a
great ultra runner,but Cliff could knock out a pretty fast half marathon
when inclined.I have fond memories of that day,18th Sept. 1983,when he
graced the Cooranbong(NSW) half marathon with his presence.He raced in
his famous long trousers and won his M60 age category in a time of
1.26.59. and then proceeded to assist in prize giving,multiple
conversations,photo shoots etc with other younger runners and
generally making it a great day for all present.A wonderful bloke who
will be sadly missed.
Jim Beisty
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As Records Officer for the Australian Ultra
Runners Association a position I took up two years ago i did not realise
then what a great athlete our cliffy was after looking through nearly
twenty years of Ultra Magazines not only did I realise what a great
Athlete he was, but a great Charcter,he was generous with his time to
other Ultra Athletes but apart from his Westfield run his time when he
won the Australian 24 Hour Championship at Adelaide in the 1980s to my
mind was one of his great runs,rest in peace Cliffy you have deserved
it,we on earth are glad that you passed our way.
Fred Brooks
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Cliff Young is not more now with us. It is like going away the Great
Grand of Ultrarunners. The biggest tree is fallen but the seeds sprouted
from it all over the world, only his physical body is not with us but he
will always remain with us.
I first encountered with him some 6-7 years ago in a very simple book on
Running having a last brief chapter on Ultrarunning. There I found two
greatest (yes to me they were and are greatest) legends Cliff &
Yiannis. I was stunned by Cliffy's running ability. I know his
impact on me and a share in becoming me an ultrarunner (only ultrarunner
in India) is also goes to him.
Wish his soul remain in Peace.
- Arun Kumar Bhardwaj
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Phil
I learnt of Cliffy death from the TV & during the
tribute to the great man a clip of him was shown completing a Westfield
run. The person beside him raising Ciffy's arm in victory was Bryan
Smith.
As my wife Betty said - Two great gentle in all
facets, now can keep each other company running forever.
May they both rest in peace yet watch over us running
nuts for when I look into the skies complaining of my hardships
struggling through the kilometres I am sure the feel of the wind at
my back will not be the wind but you giving me a slight push. RIP
Geoff Williams
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Cliffy
To all the special times we shared in the early hours of the morning
when there was just the two of us either trackside
or in the massage tent. No one can ever know what passed between us or
share in the jokes or hear the laughing.
You were the first one to believe that my approach to care of the ultra
athlete was the right one to take, and your encouragement
down through the years since we first met at the
Colac six day run when I was a massage student to
research on better ways to keep the athlete going has paid off.
Your letters always had that positive message, and they always came at
a time when I was ready to give up on everything.
I still have the vision when I was doing the lap counting
early in the morning at the 'Cliffies Dream' and you
were disappearing into the darkness for another lap
of the rough track.
There was just the two of us out there, I watched the lonely figure out
there, and could see what made you a what you were. I
had an insight into what it would be like to be like you. To
quote another ultra runner Kevin Mansell
"I finally found my hero in life and it was me"
Thanks to you on that night I found that outWhile not being an Ultra
competitor, I am proud to say I am an Ultra person,as much a part of the
Ultra family as the athletes are.It is as part of the ultra family I
grieve at your passing, and at the same time feel
proud I was part of the same family as you.
Michael Gillan Ultra Masseur
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Essam. For more information phone Phil on 0407830263
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