Michael Alfred Stowers, a Chartered Accountant and Partner in an east Auckland 2 partner firm, he is not just a numbers man; he’s a force to be reckoned with on the marathon and Ironman circuits. He has 62 marathons under his belt as of April 26, 2024, this doesn’t include the 19 marathons as part of the Ironman run leg, Stowers is a testament to the power of dedication and endurance.
He attributes his love of marathons to joining a great supporting and encouraging run club, the The Auckland YMCA Marathon Club since renamed the The Y Marathon club, it has a number of club members who have run over 100 marathons with some , passing 200 , 300 and 350 marathons!
Stowers’ marathon journey began as a 128kg Samoan in 2006 with the Rotorua Marathon, and since then, he has relentlessly pursued his passion for running , swimming and cycling. He’s conquered iconic races worldwide, including the 2023 New York City Marathon, showcasing his prowess on both local and international stages. He has got the bug and wants to complete the 6 Abbotts World Majors with Berlin this September , the remaining 4 , London , Boston , Chicago and Tokyo in the next few years.
In addition to his marathon feats, Stowers boasts an impressive tally of 19 Ironman finishes. From the beautiful IMNZ course in Taupo IMNZ to the challenging hilly courses of Challenge Wanaka and even the pinnacle of triathlon, the grueling terrain in Ironman World Championships in Kona 2022.
But Stowers’ commitment doesn’t end with completing races; it’s a way of life. As a devoted runstreaker, he’s laced up his shoes and pounded the pavement for a remarkable streak, logging an average of 5k every single day since April 1, 2014. This year marks over a decade of unwavering dedication, earning him the 8th spot on the prestigious AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALAND + OCEANIA ACTIVE RUNNING STREAK LIST.
Looking ahead, Stowers has his sights set on joining the illustrious 100 Marathon Club, with just 38 more marathons to achieve this monumental goal. As he prepares to notch his 15th Rotorua Marathon, Stowers is poised to join the exclusive Rotorua Marathon Survivors Club, reserved for those with 15 or more Rotorua finishes.
With an indomitable spirit and a relentless drive for running, Michael Alfred Stowers continues to inspire and be a role model for the pacifika communities to get active.
A lot of people ask how I have managed to achieve this , I said its simple , I run slowly!
Yet from 128kg , a slowest time of 7h15 , coming last in 3 marathons he steadlily chipped away to be now 99kg and a PB of 4h29.
I know my marathon PB is still ahead of me because of my Ace card – my weight.! My target once I get down to under 90kg I’ll be breaking the 4hr mark! I turn 60 in 2 years time , the Boston Qualifying times for 60-64 age group is sub 3h50 , so watch this space!
My mantra – Finishing is winning!
AUSNZ Marathons| Number | Date | Marathon | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29 Apr 2006 | Rotorua Marathon | Rotorua NZ | 6:16:25 |
| 2 | 22 Oct 2006 | Auckland Marathon | Auckland NZ | 4:56:47 |
| 3 | 28 Apr 2007 | Rotorua Marathon | Rotorua NZ | 5:14:54 |
| 4 | 3 May 2008 | Rotorua Marathon | Rotorua NZ | 4:51:21 |
| 5 | 1 Nov 2008 | Auckland Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:17:00 |
| 6 | 1 May 2010 | Rotorua Marathon | Rotorua NZ | 6:15:19 |
| 7 | 31 Oct 2010 | Auckland Marathon | Auckland NZ | 7:07:26 |
| 8 | 30 Apr 2011 | Rotorua Marathon | Rotorua NZ | 7:09:12 |
| 9 | 19 Jun 2011 | Wellington Marathon | Wellington NZ | 5:53:29 |
| 10 | 30 Aug 2011 | North Shore Marathon | Auckland NZ | 7:15:00 |
| 11 | 30 Oct 2011 | Auckland Marathon | Auckland NZ | 6:17:12 |
| 12 | 11 Dec 2011 | Whanganui Marathon | Whanganui NZ | 6:59:00 |
| 13 | 28 Apr 2012 | Rotorua Marathon | Rotorua NZ | 6:14:46 |
| 14 | 4 May 2013 | Rotorua Marathon | Rotorua NZ | 5:47:22 |
| 15 | 3 Nov 2013 | Auckland Marathon | Auckland NZ | 6:34:13 |
| 16 | 3 May 2014 | Rotorua Marathon | Rotorua NZ | 5:40:19 |
| 17 | 22 Jun 2014 | Wellington Marathon | Wellington NZ | 4:57:15 |
| 18 | 7 Sep 2014 | North Shore Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:34:29 |
| 19 | 13 Sep 2014 | Legend Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:27:32 |
| 20 | 2 Nov 2014 | Auckland Marathon | Auckland NZ | 6:29:11 |
| 21 | 2 May 2015 | Rotorua Marathon | Rotorua NZ | 4:48:44 |
| 22 | 6 Sep 2015 | North Shore Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:15:53 |
| 23 | 12 Sep 2015 | Legend Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:03:53 |
| 24 | 1 Nov 2015 | Auckland Marathon | Auckland NZ | 6:12:24 |
| 25 | 30 Apr 2016 | Rotorua Marathon | Rotorua NZ | 4:49:03 |
| 26 | 26 Jun 2016 | Wellington Marathon | Wellington NZ | 4:55:44 |
| 27 | 11 Sep 2016 | North Shore Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:05:10 |
| 28 | 30 Oct 2016 | Auckland Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:39:04 |
| 29 | 6 May 2017 | Rotorua Marathon | Rotorua NZ | 5:01:52 |
| 30 | 18 Jun 2017 | Wellington Marathon | Wellington NZ | 4:40:23 |
| 31 | 3 Sep 2017 | North Shore Marathon | Auckland NZ | 4:55:25 |
| 32 | 7 Oct 2017 | Tauranga Marathon | Tauranga NZ | 4:49:43 |
| 33 | 29 Oct 2017 | Auckland Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:06:37 |
| 34 | 23 Jan 2018 | 8th Continent Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:21:50 |
| 35 | 5 May 2018 | Rotorua Marathon | Rotorua NZ | 4:57:58 |
| 36 | 1 Jul 2018 | Wellington Marathon | Wellington NZ | 4:35:50 |
| 37 | 2 Sep 2018 | North Shore Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:22:04 |
| 38 | 28 Oct 2018 | Auckland Marathon | Auckland NZ | 4:55:13 |
| 39 | 20 Jan 2019 | 8th Continent Marathon | Auckland NZ | 4:58:35 |
| 40 | 9 Mar 2019 | Kirikiriroa Marathon | Hamilton NZ | 4:34:08 |
| 41 | 4 May 2019 | Rotorua Marathon | Rotorua NZ | 4:59:19 |
| 42 | 30 Jun 2019 | Wellington Marathon | Wellington NZ | 4:44:34 |
| 43 | 21 Sep 2019 | Tauranga Marathon | Tauranga NZ | 4:56:14 |
| 44 | 20 Oct 2019 | Auckland Marathon | Auckland NZ | 4:57:33 |
| 45 | 21 Jan 2020 | 8th Continent | Auckland NZ | 4:56:13 |
| 46 | 2 Aug 2020 | Taupo Marathon | Taupo NZ | 4:29:23 |
| 47 | 11 Oct 2020 | Wairarapa Marathon | Wairarapa NZ | 5:00:22 |
| 48 | 1 Nov 2020 | Auckland Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:08:37 |
| 49 | 17 Jan 2021 | 8th Continent Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:36:12 |
| 50 | 23 Jan 2022 | Auckland Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:52:49 |
| 51 | 27 Feb 2022 | 8th Continent Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:55:22 |
| 52 | 19 Jun 2022 | Wellington Marathon | Wellington NZ | 4:49:37 |
| 53 | 6 Aug 2022 | Taupo Marathon | Taupo NZ | 4:50:50 |
| 54 | 4 Sep 2022 | North Shore Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:19:36 |
| 55 | 30 Oct 2022 | Auckland Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:16:42 |
| 56 | 24 Jan 2023 | 8th Continent Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:25:40 |
| 57 | 6 May 2023 | Rotorua Marathon | Rotorua NZ | 5:15:40 |
| 58 | 25 Jun 2023 | Wellington Marathon | Wellington NZ | 5:51:31 |
| 59 | 5 Aug 2023 | Taupo Marathon | Taupo NZ | 5:44:52 |
| 60 | 29 Oct 2023 | Auckland Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:05:13 |
| 61 | 21 Jan 2024 | 8th Continent Marathon | Auckland NZ | 5:26:12 |
| Number | Date | Marathon | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 Nov 2023 | 2023 TCS New York City Marathon | New York US | 5:26:09 |