Born and raised in San Jose, the Lincoln High School graduate won his school’s first state title and set a national high school record in the 880-yards.  In 1955, at the Univ. of California-Berkeley, he set the national freshman record in his first attempt at the mile.  In 1956, he was a member of the U.S. Olympic Team.  On June 1, 1957, he made history, becoming the first American to run a sub-four minute mile, with his time of 3:58.7.  While attending Cal, he set the 880-yard collegiate record and anchored the 4 x 880-yard relay team to a world record.

A local hero, Bowden was inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.