Heffernan finds his stride for Beijing after a ‘brilliant year’

ROBERT HEFFERNAN ended up ninth in the IAAF Racewalking Challenge — the Grand Prix of Race walking — following what has been a sensational year for the Cork athlete.

Highlight of the year was undoubtedly his sixth placing in the 20k final at the world championships in Osaka but he also set two national records and secured his place at next year’s Olympic Games when he beat the qualification standard for the first time at a race in China as far back as March.

“But the real work for Beijing begins next month,” the Togher man said yesterday.