Race to Prince's Bridge explained

The Race To Prince's Bridge was an annual swimming race in the Yarra River, Melbourne, Australia. The race was "one of the chief swimming events in the world",[1] with a world record 623 entrants in 1929.[1] The race ceased running in 1991 due to high levels of pollution in the Yarra River.[2] However, the race was also cancelled due to pollution concerns from 1963 until 1987.

Course

The 3miles course runs from the old Twickenham Ferry crossing (now MacRobertson Bridge) downstream to Princes Bridge (formerly Prince's Bridge) in the heart of Melbourne. The race has changed course several times throughout history, starting from as far upstream as Macaulay's boatsheds, Studley Park.[3]

Popularity

The race often attracted a large number of spectators, who were able to cheer on competitors from the banks of the river or from floating crafts among the swimmers.[4] The high popularity of the event as a spectator friendly occasion is well documented:

"It is without a doubt the most popular aquatic event of the season...The banks of the river for the whole three miles were lined with groups of interested spectators, and over the last two miles hundreds of motor-cars followed the race" The Australasian, 8 March 1930.[1]

"Now regarded as the most important long distance swim in Australia..." The Referee, 11 March 1931[5]

"The race was followed with great attention by many spectators, and the contests were keen", The Bathurst Times, Jan 29, 1913.[6]

"A great crowd of persons of both sexes assembled at the wharf at Grange-road to witness the start of the race, and other spectators were in motor or other boats on the river...The banks of the river on either side of the different bridges were lined with sightseers...On arriving at Princes-bridge there was a large concourse of people to witness the finish." The Age, Jan 27, 1914.[7]

History

The first event was held on January 27, 1913,[7] [8] in which 44 swimmers completed the race conducted by the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association. In following years, the race soon grew to become a premier swimming event with the inclusion of high-profile competitors, notably Ivan Stedman and Frank Beaurepaire. The earliest known footage of the race is from the 1932 event that attracted 549 entrants. The swim began as a handicap race, with a team category (awarded the 3LO Cup[4]) to cater for the local swimming clubs.[8]

The Race to Prince's Bridge was held from 1913 - 1963 when the race was halted due to pollution.[2] The annual race was revived in 1987 for two years by Swimming Victoria along with sponsorship from Manchester Unity, however, the race has not run since 1989.

Historically, the race has also been referred to by the media as the Annual Three Mile Yarra River Swim and other variations of this name.

Pollution

The Annual Three Mile Yarra River Swim has changed course throughout history and been cancelled due to pollution, a continuing problem faced by the Yarra River, particularly downstream.[9] The Yarra River is particularly polluted after heavy rain events that wash debris and pollutants into the flow. Reporting of the swim in local media and newspapers often mentions the courage of competitors tackling the pollution and debris:

"After the heavy rains of Friday night the colour of the water was almost chocolate, with a considerable amount of debris floating about."[4] The Australasian, 10 March 1928.

"Channel Two technical producer Steve Pickering is indulging in a bit of understatement when he says the water in the Yarra River is a bit murky" Discussions with The Age's Ron Carter regarding the filming of the 1988 event.[10]

Race Official:"How was the Yarra?"Miss Gill, 1932 female winner: "Pretty dirty"From the 1932 footage of the race.

While the colour of the river is often referenced when describing the state of the river, particularly by swimmers, this is not a major indicator of pollution. The muddy colour of the downstream portions of the Yarra is instead caused by suspended sediment and clay particles resulting from the high turbidity of the Yarra.[11] The Environment Protection Authority delivers regular reports to warn recreational river users of current pollution levels.[12]

Information

A historical event since the early 20th Century, the Race to Prince's Bridge is a part of Melbourne history.

Honour roll

Winners - men

Winners - women

Notes and References

  1. News: THREE-MILE YARRA SWIM . . 1930-03-08 . 2014-08-06 . 28.
  2. News: Yara swim back after 23 years . Carter . Ron . . 1986-10-02 . 2014-08-06.
  3. News: 92 ENTRANTS IN YARRA SWIM . . 1947-02-08 . 2014-08-06 . 8.
  4. News: THREE-MILE YARRA SWIM . . 1928-03-10 . 2014-08-06.
  5. News: Gillam Wins Yarra 3 Mile Swim . The Referee (Sydney). 1931-03-11 . 2014-08-06 . 11.
  6. News: THREE-MILE SWIM. IN THE YARRA . . 1913-01-29 . 2014-08-06 . 2.
  7. News: A three mile swim from Grange-Road to Princes-Bridge . . 1914-01-27 . 2014-08-06.
  8. Web site: Melbourne Collegians Water Polo Club Inc.: A History 1894 - 1994 . Melbourne Collegians Water Polo Club. 2014-08-06 .
  9. News: Strong. Geoff. Exposed: Why the Yarra is so sick. 11 August 2014. The Age.
  10. News: Italian sprint star sneaks in without fanfare . Ron . Carter . . 1988-01-21 . 2014-08-06 . 26.
  11. News: Doyle. Robert. City's outlook should turn to the Yarra. 11 August 2014. Herald Sun.
  12. Web site: Yarra Watch . 2014-07-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140625042947/http://www.cleaneryarrabay.vic.gov.au/yarra-watch . 2014-06-25 . dead .
  13. News: FAREWELL TO TWICKENHAM FERRY . . J. W. . Cairns . 1934-09-15 . 2014-08-06 . 4.
  14. News: 18 Feb 1946 - LEGLESS MAN THIRD IN YARRA SWIM Kempster Wins Ma . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1946-02-18 . 2014-08-06.
  15. News: 10 Mar 1952 - Years just swum by . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1952-03-10 . 2014-08-06.
  16. News: 05 Mar 1928 - SWIMMING DOWN THE YARRA. RACE TO PRINCE'S BRIDGE . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1928-03-05 . 2014-08-06.
  17. News: 04 Mar 1934 - WOMAN FINISHES FIRST Three-Mile Yarra Swim MELBO . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1934-03-04 . 2014-08-06.
  18. News: 19 Mar 1936 - THREE MILE SWIM IN THE YARRA Gillam Again Fastes . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1936-03-19 . 2014-08-06.
  19. Web site: 12 march 1938 . AF Davis winner Yarra Three mile swim. 13 August 2006. Item held by Coburg Historical Society. 12 December 2018.
  20. News: Swimming CHRISTIE WINS THREE-MILE . 3 September 2020 . Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) . 4 March 1940 . 13.
  21. Book: Gordon, Harry . http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/stedman-ivan-cuthbert-11754 . Biography - Ivan Cuthbert Stedman - Australian Dictionary of Biography . Stedman, Ivan Cuthbert (1895–1979) . Adb.anu.edu.au . National Centre of Biography, Australian National University . 2014-08-06.
  22. Web site: A Swimming Contest - "Wholesale" (1932) . . 2014-04-13 . 2014-08-06.
  23. News: 04 Mar 1935 - Three-Mile Yarra Swim . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1935-03-04 . 2014-08-06.

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