Robert Heffernan who finished a magnificent 4th.in the gruelling 50km.Walk at the London Olympics last August is determined to set a new lifeime best time for the 3km. Walk at the 62nd Cork Ciity Sports to be held next Tuesday at the C.I.T.Athletic Stadium in Bishopstown.
Irish sports followers marvelled at the tenacious fighting spirit of the man from Togher who came tantalizing close to winning a medal and was without doubt the top Irish performer on the athletic front at the Olympic Games. Spectators now have a golden opportunity to see Robert competing on home soil and acknowledge his London heroics.
He will chasing the challenging Meeting Record of 10 mins 59.04 secs. set by Luke Adams (Australia) in 2010. The Australian was all set to return to Cork next weekend but a hip injury which may now even disrupt his World Championships preparations has forced the popular Adams to withdraw. However the improving English walker Tom Bosworth whose best time for the distance is almost as fast as the Corkman will provide a stern test. His U’K compatriat Alex Wright and the experienced South African Marc Mundell will also be in the mix.
Heffernan will have strong home support from fellow Olympians Brendan Boyce, Michael Doyle and Colin Griffin. while some other Continental walkers will attempt to spoil the party.