In-form Heffernan out to retain national title

ROBERT HEFFERNAN entered a new realm at the European Championships last year when he followed up his fourth place in the 20k walk with fourth in the 50k walk, putting himself amongst the medal favourites for next year’s Olympic Games in the process.

It’s not surprising then that he is looking forward to defending his 30k title at the Woodies DIY national walk championships around the Marina Circuit in Cork (10am).

He had just returned off his honeymoon when he won the title in the Phoenix Park in December 2009 in a time of 2 hrs 14 mins and while his current training programme is built around speed work, he is hoping to better that for his Cork supporters.