Runner Rowe Skips Appeal, Is Suspended

Mark Rowe, a four-time national champion at distances between 400 meters and 600 yards, has been suspended for two years from track and field after testing positive for the illegal substance methyl testosterone, The Athletics Congress announced today.

Rowe, 29, of Torrance, Calif., tested positive for the synthetic form of testosterone from a sample taken at the Bruce Jenner Classic in San Jose, Calif., on May 27, 1989.

He was declared ineligible on Dec. 12 after a hearing. Under TAC rules, Rowe could appeal the suspension, but when he failed to appeal by the Feb. 9 deadline, the suspension went into effect.

The suspension is retroactive to Dec. 12, 1989, and will continue until Dec. 11, 1991.

Rowe was the 1984 and 1985 national outdoor champion at 400 meters, the 1984 indoor champion at 600 yards and the 1989 indoor champion at 500 meters. Last year, he also finished second in the outdoor 400 in 44.71 seconds, the best time of his career.

He also was second in the 600 in the 1983 NCAA Indoor Championships while at Jackson State.