Rob can cap ‘perfect year’

Robert Heffernan will face a stiff challenge to win the European 50km race walk title on the streets of Zurich this morning but his wife and coach, Marian, believes he’s in as good a shape as ever.

“The year hasn’t changed,” said Marian of the training year and build-up towards his European title tilt. “He’s doing the exact same thing year in, year out since Daegu [world championships in 2011]. There’s very little changes. His year has gone perfect, it’s just a matter of getting out there Friday and doing it.”

Heffernan goes in as race favourite, and world champion, but it will be far from a formality for the Togher athlete.