Rowley was introduced to marathon running when he joined the Botany Harriers Club in the 1940's as the Bankstown Club had been disbanded during the War Years. Over a period of eight years, he won State and National Marathon Titles from 1947 to 1954 and would be the first Australian to run the Marathon 26¼ miles under 2½ hours.
- Status: Pending1947Australian Marathon Record.
- Status: Pending1954Commonwealth Games Vancouver
Beginnings
Rowley spent his school days at East Bankstown School and would remain in the district (Punchbowl) until he relocated to Perth in 1964. Rowley was a carpenter by trade and the son of a boot maker. He learned from his father how to make his own shoes for the Marathons. At the cost of £1.10 and five hours work, they weighted 11oz., had an open toe, elastic instep, sponge rubber inner sole and an outside sole which he would often retread.
Achievements
Rowley was the NSW Marathon Champion for 1947, 49, 53 and 54 as well as winning the Victorian title in 1946. Rowley set the Australian Record in winning the 1953 NSW Marathon of 26 miles and 385 yards over the Botany course. His time of 2 hours 26 minutes 50 seconds, bettered the previous record of 2 hours 30 minutes 49.8 seconds by South African J L Coleman at the 1938 Empire Games. In September 1953, he then broke his own Australian record when he won the National Marathon title, again at Botany.