LES PRITCHARD - South Sydney Athletics (Running) Life 1937-1950
Les, along with his brothers George, Allan and later Stan, had a very good and enjoyable cricketing career (mainly a very good bowler) and was also a middle-distance running champion during his early years. Les commenced with his first proper running training session in July 1937. He was more suited to middle distance running. As told by Les: In July 1937 my father took me down to Enmore Terminus to meet Rowley Bateman and I joined the South Sydney Harriers. I ran in my first 5 mile handicap and of course finished last in the time of 32 mins. Dad at that time had joined the NSW Walking Club. I had 2 more races that season and I joined the Kellyville Cricket Club in Sept 1937. Next year I started running again and early in the season I was a member of South’s winning team in the Charles Winns Memorial Race over 4 miles at Canterbury Race Course. Later on in August I won the Warren View Hotel Trophy over 5 miles at Enmore Terminus to Dulwich Hill and back in 28 mins 22 secs. Cricket started in Sept and went through till March ’39. I started the winter season with South Sydney Harriers and gained a few more places in events up to 10,000 metres (6¼ miles) again in August I won my second Warren View Trophy in the time 28 mins 10 secs. In Sept cricket started again and I got quite a few wickets throughout the season. I had joined the 21st Field Regiment in October 1940 and my first camp was at Warwick Farm Racecourse. In Dec 1940 I went to a cooking school at Liverpool Army Camp and became a cook.
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Les Pritchard’s running weight was 10 stone 3 pounds and in his first three months of joining the Army in late 1940 he weighed 12 stone 6 pounds. After Les was released from his Army and Civil Service duties he resumed his running career.
Major races that Les competed in during his Running Career July 1938 to 1950 South Sydney (Harriers) Amateur Athletic Club Championship Certificates, Medals and Trophies Race Placed Location Date W.S.A.A.C. championship winner, team’s race 1st South Sydney 1938 5 miles road championship 3rd Tempe 21-07-1945 5 miles cross country championship 3rd Ramsgate 28-07-1945 Winter point score 3 miles to 10,000 metres 2nd Tempe Winter season 1945 5 miles run (Teams record) - Rydalmere Harriers 1st Parramatta 13-03-1946 880 yards - Rydalmere Harriers 2nd Parramatta 29-09-1946 Rydalmere Boys Club 1 mile run 1 mile run record (5 minutes) 2nd 1st Parramatta Parramatta 29-09-1946 27-10-1946 2 miles novice (11 mins, 11 secs) 1st Redfern Oval 11-12-1946 1 mile 3rd Sydney Sports Ground 14-01-1947 5 miles novice C.C.C. (27 mins, 45 secs) 2nd South Sydney 12-07-1947 Senior 10,000 metres cross country championship 3rd Centennial Park 26-07-1947 Senior 10 miles track 2nd Tempe 02-08-1947 Senior 10 miles track 3rd Victoria Park Racecourse 09-08-1947 15 miles team championships Senior 15 miles road 1st 3rd Manly 13-09-1947 1 mile run handicap 2nd Parramatta 12-11-1947 880 yards run handicap 3rd Parramatta 19-11-1947 Won: Senior member of the ‘A Grade Team’ Metropolitan inter-club track and field competition 1st Sydney Metropolitan Area 1946-1947 season 10,000 metres cross country championship team event 2nd Centennial Park 07-08-1950 Point score championship 1st Tempe Winter season 1950 15 miles team championship 1st South Sydney 02-09-1950 Won: The Warren View Trophy - (twice) (Tooths ‘KB’ Lager) ------
