ET is on its way to becoming the highest-grossing film of the decade, Italy are eyeing up the football World Cup, and a mere four competitors were about to take part in a bike race that would go on to be one of the longest annual endurance events in the world.

The year is 1982 and the Race Across America was taking place for the first time.

Back then, there weren’t many clues that the event would go on to be an ultra-distance road cycling race that puts the Tour de France in the shade in more than one aspect.

The four riders in that first event included founder John Marino and it was called the Great American Bike Race. But the name changed and the concept took off, with riders from around the world competing in what has become a 3,000-mile, seven-day contest.

It is not only longer than its French rival by several hundred miles, it is also a non-stop race rather than one which takes in a host of stages along the way. Entrants must prove their abilities by competing in one of several qualifying events.

That’s what Shusanah Pillinger, a triathlon champion, did back in 2015. She went on to become the first British woman to complete the Race Across America solo, finishing the 3,004-mile route from California to Maryland in 12 days, nine hours and 14 minutes.

These days, Shusanah’s love for extreme events continues and in January she will be taking part in our Country to Capital Ultra Marathon.

It may not have quite the glamour of a 3,000-mile yomp across the States, but it is the UK’s ultra-running season opener and an event which attracts an international field.

As ET might have said back in 1982, that’s something to phone home about!