The annual handicap event was opened up to allow women to contest the 12.4km run over the old road between Port Chalmers and Dunedin in 1982, and only two have previously claimed outright line honours: Sue O'Sullivan (Hill City) in 1983 and Ros Dowland (Caversham) in 1985.
It had been a rough ride over the winter harrier season for Rowley before she lined up on the 3min 30sec mark in Saturday's season finale.
Although targeting a start in January's Challenge Wanaka ironman event, she has struggled juggling training and sleepless nights due to her 7-month old son, Lachlan.
She had her first competitive race after Lachlan's birth in the Barnes cross-country at the end of May.
That was a disaster, she said.
"Everyone had gone home, and I was out there still running. I think the cones were brought in before I crossed the finish," she joked.
While she is very appreciative of her parents, Lloyd and Rhondda Rowley, for standing in and allowing her time to train, she felt pushing the baby buggy around some of Dunedin's hills in training was to her advantage in her race on Saturday.
She came into contention when she took the lead just after the Roseneath hill and, despite several possible contenders jostling through the field behind her, she was able to maintain a lead of between three and four minutes over the testing St Leonards, Burkes and Maia sections.
Martin Fey (Caversham), who appeared to pose a threat to Rowley at Roseneath, made little impression over the second half of the race, trailing her by 3min 2sec as the field entered Ravensbourne, which in the end proved decisive, as Rowley crossed the line at Logan Park 1min 13 clear of Fey.
He finished third, after succumbing to a fast finish from Christine Montgomery who finished second, 45sec behind Rowley.
Rowley's time for the course was 1hr 5min 20, Montgomery's 56min 5sec and Fey's 58min 33sec.
It was the first running success in Otago - and just the second nationwide - for Rowley, who won the open women's section of the Riverton to Invercargill Marathon five years ago.
Rowley (34), a science technician at Otago Girls High School, is better known for her triathlon and ironman successes, having twice qualified for the Hawaiian Ironman and as a winner of the South Island Half Ironman at Ashburton in 2008.
"Wanaka's the goal," she said of the January ironman event.
"I've shed 10kg and have seven to go to be in shape."
Fey (43), a trainee Presbyterian minister, from Auckland, is a past winner of the Wild Turkey 16km bush race at Waitakere.
He has been in Dunedin for the past two and a-half years, and says he loves it down this way.
"I love Dunedin. It's a great city. It's just 10 minutes to everywhere," he said.
Of course there is little doubt now that having his name engraved on the trophy for New Zealand's oldest road race, for being the first male home, will afford him greater affection for the city.
Fastest time in the men's section was recorded by Dougal Thorburn (Ariki), 41min 36sec, and Sarah Chisnall (Ariki) in the women's section, 49min 55sec.
