Every year, thousands of runners gather in Australia to run the yearly 543. 7- mile (875- kilometer)endurance (忍耐力) course from Sydney to Melbourne.

It is thought to be one of the world ‘s toughest ultra - marathons (超级马拉松), which can take up to five days to cross the finish line. So only the top athletes of the game typically dare to take it on. They are young (generally under 30), and obviously well equipped and trained. Most importantly, with the help of high-level teams, they will draw up a detailed plan to make sure that they will have enough time for running and sleeping during the race.

But all that changed when a 61- year - old competitor by the name of Cliff Young entered it. Cliff had always dreamed of taking part in the ultra - marathon since he heard of the event when he was young. Finally, with the support of his family, he signed up for it and now he wandered to the starting blocks (起跑器). But he made a strange sight. Everyone was laughing at his everyday overalls (连体工装裤) and work boots (靴子) with his race number proudly displayed on the back of his shirt.

However, Cliff never cared about it. When questioned by the media why he dared to take part in such a challenging running, he told the curious press that his hard - working background gave him all the skills and endurance he’d need to finish the race, saying: “I grew up on a farm where we couldn’t afford horses or tractors, and the whole time I was growing up, whenever the storms would roll in, I’d have to go out and round up the sheep. We had 2, 000 sheep on 2, 000 acres. Sometimes I would have to run those sheep for two or three days. It took a long time, but I’d always catch them. I believe I can run this race. So do my family!” Hearing this, they were so shocked and thought him to be too confident. No one believed he would win, and some even doubt whether he would finish the game.

And from the moment the runners left the starting blocks, it looked like the skeptics (怀疑者) would be proved right.

However, according to Cliff, it was all part of his plan.

The science teacher, Mr. Moose, decided that the school would have a paper airplane contest (比赛). Each student would design a paper airplane. And then they would take turns throwing their airplanes. The student whose airplane flew the farthest would win.

When Mr. Moose announced the paper airplane contest, all the students were very excited. Paul, who was on the wrestling (摔跤) team, said to other students. “I am the strongest. And I will be able to throw my airplane the farthest.”

However, another student, Brian, was thinking how he could win. He did not play any sports and was not very strong. But he loved airplanes and really wanted to win the contest.

Brian knew what he had to do. He went to the store and bought a big pile of paper. When he got home, he took the paper into the backyard. He took a piece of paper and folded (折叠) an airplane. It didn’t go very far, so Brian took another piece and folded another airplane and threw it. This airplane went a little farther. Brian kept folding different kinds of airplanes and throwing them. Some went very far and some did not. Finally, when Brian had used all the paper, he walked up to the airplane that had flown the farthest and picked it up.

The contest day arrived in the end and all the students gathered on the playground.

Excitedly, Brian got the prize from Mr. Moose’s hand and all the students clapped their hands for him.

How pleasant that day was! The temperature was fairly low, the sky was pretty clear and the wind was very gentle. Naturally, running was really good. I was running the first leg of a 20-mile race through some hills. Birds were warbling in the trees. The gentle wind was stroking my face. I felt at ease and full of energy. In spite of the fact that the race was occurring in the hills, I thought it would be wonderful.

In front of me was John, a student from Green High school. He was running with ease and at comfortable speed. Therefore, I decided to stay where he was. I didn’t think it necessary to concentrate on setting my own pace, since John was such a nice pacesetter. I would run before him, immediately he consumed all of his energy.

I ran after John closely. The course extended north for 7 miles, wandered west for 2 miles, and turned south again. The race was getting increasingly challenging. When 4 miles remained to be covered, I was all but worn out. My lungs were burning and legs seemed broken.

John overtook the boy ahead of him. Obviously, they were familiar with each other, because they exchanged some words. Their brief exchange made me worried. Runners don’t chat during a race unless they feel really good and John was running energetically. His steps were bouncy (弹性好的) while my springiness (轻快) was gone.

Still, I was desiring to go ahead of John. As long as he was totally tired, I would make it. We were approaching a hill, a mile from the finish line. Whatever happened on the hill would surely determine who would cross it first.

When I ran up the hill, my attention was wandering for several minutes. When I looked up, John was running away, leaving me far behind. It was hopeless to overtake John.

Suddenly, John slowed down and sat onto the ground with a sharp pain.

A reporter photographed this touching scene and posted it online.