Heffernan walks away with 15th national title

Robert Heffernan put on a masterclass of race walking to win his 15th national title but felt the atmosphere ‘dead’ on day one of the Woodie’s DIY National Indoor Championships in Athlone on Saturday.

Heffernan (Togher AC) was close to 6 minute mile pace as he dominated the 5,000m race walk from the start. He crossed the line in 19:13.03, but felt a bit heavy, having been logging up some big mileage in training, and thought the atmosphere was lacking despite some excellent competition.

“I found it dead to be honest,” said Heffernan of the atmosphere. “It was just a very, very hard effort,” he said of his own performance. “It’s still a good time. Six minute miling is so fast. It’s a second a lap off it which makes 25 seconds,” alluding to his Irish record of 18:51.46.