Having competed mostly in handicap races in 1905 and 1906, William Lower was the surprise winner of the one-lap race for the Alexander Cup at the three-cornered meeting at Herne Hill between the Putney, Polytechnic and Paddington clubs in 1907. He beat George Summers and C. V. Clark into second and third place. Despite racing shorter distances, normally up to one mile, he was selected for the 20 km race at the 1908 Olympics but without success. He failed to retain his Alexander Cup in 1909, losing in his first heat to the eventual winner Clarrie Kingsbury.