50 KM WALKING World Champion Rob Heffernan withdrew himself 10km before the end of today’s European Championship race in Zurich.
With a fast pace set from the outset, the Corkman took some time to settle into his race rhythm. He did that and looked well-placed going into the middle section in fourth place.
However, he never managed to make inroads into the top two places and as leader Yohann Diniz extended his lead on his way to setting a new world record of 3:32.33 Heffernan battled with injury. And, after stopping briefly to stretch out a strain, eventually pulled out before the race was three hours old.
Donegal’s Brendan Boyce finished in 16th place with a new personal best time of 3:51.27.
There was better news on the track as three Irishmen started in the heats of the 1500m. John Travers and Ciarán Ó Lionáird went in the first heat and the latter claimed his spot in the next stage with a time of 3.39.79 good enough for seventh-place finish.
Heat two saw 23-year-old Paul Robinson put in stunning late burst to claim fourth place in a time of 3.39.83.
