Rob Heffernan establishes new athletics club in Cork City - Sept 2022

World race walking champion and five time Olympian Rob Heffernan has established a new athletics club called Cork City AC.

This is their mission statement...

Cork City Ac Mission Statement: To provide coaching in all athletics disciplines in a positive & nurturing environment to prepare our members for competition. 

Whilst always taking care to look after the whole person & their physical & mental well being through athletics encompassing team spirit & morale in success & adversity.

To inspire and motivate all members, regardless of age or ability, to develop skills of athleticism, whether for fun or to compete to their optimum level . To promote athletics as a fundamental necessity for life, recognizing it as the foundation for all sports.

They are currently active on Instagram if you want to follow them there. 

Rob is today doing some cross country training with students of Beaumont Girls NS. 

Other than that, I have no info. As you can see, the club was only established this month so they will no doubt release more details in due course.

Friday Jigsaw: Sonia & Rob at the 2022 Cobh 10 mile

For this weeks online jigsaw, we go back to the Cobh 10-miler with Sonia O'Sullivan and Rob Heffernan approaching the finish line.

This one is short and sweet with just 99 pieces. You can find it HERE

Top 10 finish for Rob Heffernan in 50k walk at World Championships

In what was his last World Championship, Rob Heffernan finished in an impressive 8th place in the 50k walk at the 2017 World Championships in London.

Robert Heffernan on a brilliant career and his 8th place finish in London pic.twitter.com/uEHv0QXvdr

— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) August 13, 2017

The other Irish interest in this race was Alex Wright who was disqualified for lifting as he tried to catch the leading group. He was going really well until he was clipped from behind which resulted in him having to stop to fix his shoe. Story on Irish Examiner.

Rob Heffernan finally gets his Olympic Bronze medal

At a special awards ceremony in Cork City Hall on Thursday evening, Rob Heffernan was finally presented with his Olympic Bronze medal for the 50k walk at the 2012 London Games.

Olympic Medal Presentation for Rob Heffernan on Thurs 3rd November

On Wednesday the 3rd November 2016 (7pm), Rob Heffernan will finally be presented with his London 2012 Olympic Bronze Medal in the Concert Hall, City Hall, Cork.

This follows on from the disqualification of a Russian athlete who was originally awarded Gold. See this previous post for more details... http://corkrunning.blogspot.ie/2016/03/rob-heffernan-to-be-awarded-olympic.html

The event will be hosted by the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Des Cahill and the medal will be presented by Acting President of the Olympic Council of Ireland William O’Brien.

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Des Cahill: “ As Lord Mayor of Cork, I am honoured on behalf of the people of Cork to facilitate the Presentation of an Olympic Bronze Medal by the Olympic Council of Ireland  to one of our own Rob Heffernan, a proud Corkonian and a model and inspiration to the youth of today. It is only right and fitting that we recognise the tenacious efforts by Rob in representing his country on an international stage. We all take pride in his achieving this most coveted Olympic Bronze Medal and I look forward to welcoming you to City Hall on the 3rd November.”

Rob Heffernan: “This is always what I dreamt about, being presented with an Olympic Medal. It would of course have been wonderful to have received it in London but now to receive it on Irish soil in my home City of Cork, with my own family, friends, supporters on the 100 year anniversary of 1916, is a fitting and very special way for Irish people to celebrate Irish Olympic Sporting success”.

It will be a ticket only event and you can apply for tickets by forwarding your name, full address and contact telephone number to the following portal:  robsmedal@corkcity.ie . The first 400 applications will receive a ticket admitting two to the Presentation Ceremony.

Notice...VHI-Lust for Life Cork Airport 5k - Fri 30th Sept 2016

This one should be of interest to a lot of people in that it's a pretty unique event. The VHI - A Lust for Life 5k will be held on the runway of Cork Airport on Friday the 30th of Sept 2016.

The entry fee is €25 and that includes a dry fit top.

Entries >>> The entry link is https://eventgen.ie/vhialustforlifecork2016

If you are interested then it is advisable to enter asap. 

Here are some of the basic details.....

· Event start time is 2am (i.e. 2am on Saturday morning the 1st of Oct)
· Red FM there on the night doing broadcasts and music so will be open to public from 11pm/midnight
· Entry includes chip time, goodie bag and tech t-shirt
· Charity partner is Cork City Hospital Children’s Club
· Also supports A Lust For Life
· Free parking in the holiday blue car park
· There will be a mention in the Irish Independent the Monday following so an opportunity for any runners looking for some promo! :o)
· Open to the weather so worth making sure you’re wrapped up nice and well.....although it should be a bit milder than the event in November last year!
· No phones allowed on the course (strict enforcement)

***

The race launch was on the 13th of September.

Vhi and Irish Independent launch the Vhi A Lust for Life Run Series in Cork

Fresh from the Olympic Games in Rio, Irish race walker Rob Heffernan was on hand today to launch the Vhi A Lust for Life Run, which is taking place in Cork Airport on Friday, September 30th.

The Vhi A Lust for Life Run Series, in association with the Irish Independent, was set up with the aim of bringing people together through exercise to create awareness around mental health. The Cork Airport event marks the third and final run in the series this year, after highly successful events in the Phoenix Park in March, and Galway Racecourse in September.

Participants will have the unique opportunity to run 5km across the fast, flat Cork Airport runway after the last plane of the day flies in.

Vhi’s partnership with the A Lust for Life Run Series complements their sponsorship of the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon, and means that Ireland’s leading health insurer will play a significant role in ensuring that over 50,000 Irish people will participate in running events in 2016.

Speaking at the launch in Cork today, Rob Heffernan said, ‘I’m delighted to help launch the Vhi A Lust for Life Cork Airport 5km. A Lust for Life do fantastic work throughout Ireland, and I’m a huge believer in using exercise to put mental health on the map. Runners will get to experience Cork Airport like never before, so this is certainly a run with a difference!’

Vhi Healthcare General Manager-Retail Business, Gearoid Gilley commented:
“Vhi is delighted to be supporting the Vhi A Lust for Life Run Series, and is very much looking forward to the event in Cork. The Dublin and Galway events have been a huge success, and we are confident that the people of Cork will come together to show their support for such a great cause.”
Ciaran Carton, General Manager, Operations at Cork Airport said: “Last year’s event was fantastic, and there was a brilliant atmosphere throughout the airport. Interest in this year’s event is already building and registrations are coming in fast.

“This year’s run which will support Cork Airport’s staff charity of the year, The Cork City Hospital Children’s Club, who we are very proud to partner with. I would encourage anyone who has been toying with the idea of their first 5k or dusting off their runners to come and join us for this truly unique event. There will be a great buzz around the terminal, and if last year is anything to go by everyone will have a really great time.”

For more information on how to take part in the Cork event, log on to www.fitmagazine.ie and for further information on Vhi healthcare, please visit www.vhi.ie

Three new books...Fit Foodie by Derval O'Rourke, Profile of Irish Masters & Rob Heffernan's Autobiography

These three new books that may be of interest. Derval O'Rourke launched her second food book at the start of August. A new book on Irish Masters Athletes is available since the start of Setember and Rob Heffernan's autobiography will be available in November 2016. See the details below...

*************


The Fit Foodie...by Derval O'Rourke .... Paperback – 4 Aug 2016



Description...The Fit Foodie is full of simple, delicious and totally doable recipes such as Laid-Back Lamb Tagine, Mediterranean Salmon and Spaghetti, Butternut and Bean Stew, Almond, Hazelnut and Pine Nut Bread and a stunning Chocolate Fondant Cake. Derval also shares smart and inspiring advice on how to get organised so that good food and exercise are a seamless part of your life.

Click below to purchase & for more info...



**************************

A Golden Era: Profiles of Irish Masters Athletes ...Paperback – 1 Sep 2016

Description......A Golden Era captures the history, geography, social climate, family fortunes, politics and personal stories of a largely undocumented group of Irish sports stars - Irish Masters athletes.



Click below to purchase & for more info...




**************************

Walking Tall: The Autobiography of World Champion and Olympic Medalist Rob Heffernan 2016 ........Hardcover – Available 3 Nov 2016




Description.....In this no-holds-barred account, Rob describes his battles with injury, depression and abject poverty on his way to the top. Even when at his best, he often found himself cheated out of medals by those who crossed the dark line into doping. He candidly tells for the first time of the confrontations with Athletics Ireland and the Irish Sports Council that raged in the background of his struggle for that prestigious Olympic medal.This is the inside story of how one boy's dream led him from the council flats of his tough upbringing to the winners' podium. It is also a frank chronicle of the sometimes nightmare-ridden journey it takes to make a dream come true.

Click below to order in advance & for more info...

Four athletes from Cork selected for Irish Olympic team for Olympics in Rio

The 17 strong Irish athletics team for the Olympics in Rio was announced today and it included four from Cork...Lizzie, Lee, Michelle Finn, Alex Wright and Rob Heffernan.


Michele Finn...Leevale AC...Event: 3000mSC...Personal best: 9:43.34...Coach: Donie Walsh


Lizzie Lee...Leevale AC...Event: Marathon...Personal best: 2:32:51...Coach: Donie Walsh

Alex Wright...Leevale AC...Event: 20km Race Walk/ 50km Race Walk...Personal Best: 1:21:56/3:48:31...Coach: Robert Heffernan

Robert Heffernan...Togher AC...Event: 50km Race Walk...Personal best: 3:37:54...Coach: Marian Heffernan

The other 13 athletes are...
Mark English...800m
Thomas Barr...400m hurdles
Mick Clohisey...Marathon
Paul Pollock...Marathon
Kevin Seaward... Marathon
Brendan Boyce...50k Walk

Ciara Everard...800m
Ciara Mageean...1500m
Kerry O’Flaherty...3000m steeplechase
Sara Treacy...3000m steeplechase
Fionnuala McCormack...10000m & Marathon
Breege Connolly...Marathon
Tori Pena...Pole vault

More info on the Athletics Ireland website

An Irishman Abroad interview with Rob Heffernan

In this podcast, Jarlath Regan catches up with Rob Heffernan as he prepares for this 5th Olympics in Rio....

.......(Adverts from 30:00 to 34:00 if you want to skip those)

Rob Heffernan to be awarded Olympic Bronze medal after appeal

Back in the 2012 Olympics in London, Rob Heffernan finished in an agonising fourth place in the mens 50km race walk. The winner of that race was Sergey Kirdyapkin from Russia who would later fail a drugs test.

RUSADA...the Russian Doping Agency...banned Kirdyapkin for three years and two months from 15.10.2012, with the cancellation of the results of the July 20, 2009 - September 20, 2009, June 29, 2010 - August 29, 2010 December 17, 2011 - June 11, 2012. In other words, he was somehow clean for the Olympic Games which of course was a farce.

Today...the 24th of March 2016.....the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) have decided the following...

"Sergey Kirdyapkin...All competitive results obtained by Mr Sergey Kirdyapkin from 20 August 2009 to 15 October 2012 are disqualified".

This should mean that Rob Hefferan will be retrospectively awarded the bronze medal from the 50km walk at the London 2012 Games.

Of course, medal or no medal Rob is still straining hard for Rio as seen in the Mardyke today...

What do you do if you've just been awarded an Olympic bronze? Go training! Congrats @RM_Heffernan !!! pic.twitter.com/NtQygHtUUb

— RTERoadToRio (@RTERoadToRio) March 24, 2016

Rob Heffernan wins French Indoor Title...28th Feb 2016

Rob Heffernan was in action last weekend at the French Indoor Championships where he finished first in the 5000m walk in a time of 19m 40s.

Rob was competing for the French club SPN Vernon of Normandy.

1 19'40''21 HEFFERNAN Robert (IRL)    Spn Vernon
2 19'45''22 BLANCHETEAU Jean    Athle Bourgogne Sud
3 20'43''90 BERNABE Fabien    Sco Ste-marguerite Marseille

Full results

The race video is shown below. Rob is in the red top and green shorts. The video follows another athlete but you can see Rob in the early stages.

5000m marche- Championnats de France élites- Aubière- 28/02/2016

Video on Irish racewalker Rob Heffernan as he prepares for the 2016 Olympics in Rio

Rob Heffernan finishes 5th at World Championships...

Rob Heffernan finished 5th today in the 50km walk at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing. To finish 5th in the World is a remarkable achievement considering he wasn't 100% fit following his operations last year.

For a while, Rob was in 3rd place but was passed by two Japanese athletes. Rob's time of 3h 44m 17s works out as 7:13 minute mile pace.

Post race interview with Rob...

Photo credit : James Veale of West Waterford AC

Unfortunately Brendan Boyce (Letterkenny) was disqualified and Alex Wright (Leevale) was unable to finish.

Rob Heffernan moves one step closer to an Olympic Bronze medal

At the Olympics in London in August of 2012, Sergei Kirdyapkin won the Gold medal in the 50km walk. Rob Heffernan finished 4th in the same event.

Kirdyapkin was subsequently found to have been doping so the Russian Anti-Doping Agency RUSADA announced back in January of 2015 that he would be banned for three years and two months from 15.10.2012, with the cancellation of the results of the July 20, 2009 - September 20, 2009, June 29, 2010 - August 29, 2010 December 17, 2011 - June 11, 2012.

Needless to say, the Russians were cherry picking the ban dates so that he could keep his medals which is a farce.

It was announced yesterday that the IAAF...the governing body for international athletics...were not accepting this and they have filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

If that appeal is upheld then the Russian should be stripped of his Gold and Rob Heffernan will be upgraded to Bronze.

Sports journalist Ian O'Riordan has an article in the Irish Times about it HERE

Reminder...Great Island 4m & 10m race, Cobh - Sun 12th April 2015

Now that the Mallow 10 mile is out of the way, the next big 10 mile race coming up in Cork is the Great Island 10 on Sunday the 12th of April 2015. There was a photo shoot recently in Fota with Rob Heffernan who was on hand to endorse the upcoming event.

From the organisers......We had great fun with sporting legend Rob Heffernan last Friday for our photocall in Fota and are delighted another one of Cork's Sports Stars are supporting our event on April 12th. ‘It’s fantastic to see a local running event go from strength to strength with runners from all over Ireland descending on the seaside town of Cobh for the 6th time this year, in what has become a major event on the running calendar in Cork, a great course, great challenge and all for a great cause’

As well as the usual 10 mile race, there is a properly measured 4 mile race this year as well which will suit runners and walkers who prefer the shorter distance.

More info including details on how to enter, course previews, etc in this race notice.

Rob Heffernan & Brendan Boyce qualify for the 2015 World Championships in China

A number of Irish international race walkers were in action today (15th March 2015) at the IAAF Race Walking Challenge Permit Meeting in Dudince in the Slovak Republic.

Brendan Boyce & Rob Heffernan

In the mens 50km walk, Rob Heffernan and Brendan Boyce finished in 4th and 5th place respectively. Their times were also inside the 3h 55m qualifying time for the World Championships in Beijing in August of this year.

 This was also a new personal best time for Brendan Boyce, beating his previous best of 3:51:34 which he set at the European Championships in Zurich last year. It was also one of his best finishing positions, just 11 seconds behind the current World Champion Rob Heffernan whereas in the past, he would have been well behind Rob.

In the 20km walk, Alex Wright finished in  5th place in 1:27:56, outside the qualifying standard of 1:23:30 for the World Championships.

Will Rob Heffernan be upgraded to Olympic Bronze after another Russian is suspended???

At the 2012 Olympics in London, Sergei Kirdyapkin of Russia won the Gold medal in the 50km walk while Rob Heffernan from Ireland finished 4th.

It has been announced earlier today that the Russian has been suspended while he is being investigated for irregularities in his biological passport. According to media sources, this could  endanger the walkers results at the 2012 Olympics if he is deemed to have competed with blood values associated with doping. Achievements from the 2008 Olympics will not be affected, since the biological passport system was introduced by the IAAF in 2009.

If Kirdyapkin is stripped of his Olympic Gold medal then Rob Heffernan will be upgraded to an Olympic Bronze.

Following the German documentary on doping in Russia recently, the true scale of cheating in the country has come to light. Here is one simple statistic.....Out of the 17 gold medals won by Russian walkers at the Olympics and world championships in the last decade, 16 were won by athletes who have been banned for doping at some stage of their careers or who are currently under investigation.

Another Russian who has been investigated is Olga Kaniskina who won gold in the Women's 20km Race Walk in World Championships inBerlin in August 2009. In that race, Olive  Loughnane finished second for Silver. If the Russian is eventually suspended then the Irish woman will be getting a World Championship Gold medal.

Rob Heffernan awarded European Bronze medal at ceremony in Cork

In 2010 at the European Championships in Barcelona, Stanislav  Emelyanov won the 20 km walking race. Rob Heffernan finished 4th in that race. In July of 2014, the Russian was found to have been doping and his European gold medal position was declared void. As a result, Rob Heffernan was moved up into 3rd place and a bronze medal.

Rob was presented with the European Bronze medal at a ceremony in Cork City Hall on Friday the 19th of December at 6pm.


In a recent interview, Rob Heffernan said...."I've always performed, but if you don't have a medal, nobody cares."

Another twist to this story is that the Italian Alex Schwazer who should have been moved up into gold position isn't exactly clean either and is currently being investigated for doping. If that is upheld then there could be another medal ceremony in the future for Rob.
 

Extra...
1) Article in the Irish Examiner

RTE interview with Rob Heffernan about his new medal and doping in athletics

RTE interview with Rob Heffernan where he talks about his new medal and doping in athletics.

Is Rob Heffernan going to get a European Silver medal???

Back in late July, I had a post up about how the Russian race walker Stanislav Emelyanov had been caught due to violations to his biological passport. This meant that his results since before 2010 would no longer be counted. In 2010 at the European Championships in Barcelona, Emelyanov won the 20 km walking race. Rob Heffernan finished 4th in that race. With Emelyanov eliminated, Rob moved up in 3rd place and a bronze medal.

At the start of August, I had a post up which raised some doubts about whether the Italian in second place would actually get the medal?

The following piece appeared on an Italian website today...4th Sept 2014....(It's translated by Google Translate but you'll get the gist)...
The former marcher Alex Schwarzer , the doctors of the Italian Federation of Athletics Joseph Fischetto and Pierluigi Fiorella , the former manager of the technical Fidal , Rita Bottiglieri . These are investigated for doping at the conclusion of the investigation by the Prosecutor of Bolzano . Apart from the walker , the other three are accused of aiding and abetting under the law on doping. Investigators allege that the South Tyrolean champion the use of doping between February 2010 and 2012: for this reason , in all probability , will also be canceled medal of the European Championships in Barcelona, ​​assigned all'altoatesino after the disqualification of the winner Russian Emelyanov . A Schwarzer is not only challenged the use of epo , but also numerous other substances ( all made from testosterone) found in the fridge of the sample , which would be procured via the Internet. Have been withdrawn, but still remain to be evaluated, the positions of the other suspects : Francesco Conconi , director of the Center biomechanical studies applied to the sport of Ferrara , Christian Thuile , chief of complementary medicine in Merano, Michele Didoni , coach Schwarzer , and the horseman Karl Wechselberger . The investigation on them, are continuing.

It would seem as if Rob is heading for a European Silver.