Francis Pritchard
Francis Frank Pritchard is an American open water swimmer who was inducted in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 2009 as an Honour Pioneer Swimmer.
Marathon Swimming Career
Pritchard was active in marathon swimming between 1927 through 1938. During his early career, Pritchard finished second in the 1927 National A.A.U. 4.5-mile championships and fourth in the 1928 USA Olympic Trials in the 1500-meter freestyle. Between 1930 and 1937, Pritchard participated in the most prestigious marathon swimming event of the time, the Canadian National Exhibition marathon swims in Toronto, Canada. In 1931, he finished fourth. In 1933, he finished third. In 1934, he finished second. In 1935, he finished second again. In 1936, he finally won. In 1937, he defended his title and his race record that lasted more than 10 years.
He also won the 1934 Hearst 15-mile Swim in Lake Michigan in Chicago, the 1934 and 1935 Blue Water Carnival 12-mile Swims from Sarnia, Ontario to St. Clair, Michigan.
