Robert Fowler

Robert Arthur Fowler (18 September 1882 – 8 October 1957) was a Newfoundland-born long-distance runner who was recognized by the International Association of Athletics Federations as having set a world's best in the marathon on January 1, 1909 with a time of 2:52:45.4 at the Empire City Marathon in Yonkers, New York.

Early life Fowler was born in Trinity, Newfoundland to Capt. Patrick Joseph Fowlow Sr. and Mary Anne Connolly, the youngest of seven. His father was the captain of the ill-fated SS Lion, who lost his life on January 6, 1882, before Robert was born. Robert, along with his brothers attended Saint Bonaventure's College in St. John's. and, as he did not become a US citizen until September 16, 1907, is considered by some to be the first Newfoundland Olympian.#tag:ref|Fred Mason wrote: "...Fowler did not take attestation of US citizenship until September 16, 1907. This means, technically, that he was still a citizen of the Dominion of Newfoundland when he competed in 1904, confirming his place as the first Newfoundland Olympian, whatever jersey he wore."

Fowler finished third in the 1905 Boston Marathon behind Fred Lorz and Louis Marks. Two years later in Boston, he finished second to Thomas Longboat in a race in which he was blocked by a freight train in Framingham, Massachusetts for approximately two minutes. Fowler was in a second pack of runners that was separated from Longboat's lead pack when the train crossed the tracks.

Coaching Fowler helped train athletes at Harvard University for several years during his running career. In 1913, he became the track coach at the Volkmann School. Accepting a paid coaching position meant that Fowler was no longer an amateur athlete and ended his running career. From 1914 to 1915, he was the supervisor of athletics in the Manchester, New Hampshire playgrounds department. In 1916, he was hired to coach the track and ice hockey teams at Boston College.

In 1918, he received a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army Air Service, Sanitary Corps, National Army.

In 1921, Fowler became the trainer for the Williams College football team. The following year, he coached the school's swim team. In 1922, he became an athletic instructor for the Brazilian Navy. He returned to the United States in 1935 and became the director of playgrounds and recreation for Medford, Massachusetts.