Heffernan denied on Big Apple bow

World 50km walk champion Robert Heffernan was denied a dream New York debut by Sweden’s Andreas Gustafsson at the Millrose Games on Saturday.

Despite recording the third fastest time ever for the mile walk at the prestigious track meet, Heffernan was denied by an even more impressive walk from the Swede, whose time of 5:34.45 was just short of the world record for the distance indoors (5:33.54). Jonathan Hallman finished a distant third.

“I very happy with the time,” Heffernan said. “They were second and third in Millrose history only behind a world record. I was hoping to get inside the 5:40s and I finished better than that. So I can’t complain. It was enjoyable being here.”