from A.A.I Saturday, March 27th, 2010 Robert Heffernan of Togher AC set a New Irish 50k Walk Record of 3:50:07 hours when finishing third at the European Athletics Walking Permit meeting in Dudince, southern Slovakia today. This improved on the record set by Jamie Costin last year of 3.50.52, at the same event.
Heffernan is using the 50k distance as part of his early season base work in preparation for the European championships in Barcelona where he will contest the 20k event. He was on 3:45 pace in the opening 40k but lost ground over the final 10k.
Meanwhile Joanne Cuddihy (KCH AC) recorded another solid performance in the 400m winning the Athletics New Zealand Track and Field Championships in Christchurch in 52.84 seconds from Louise Jones in 55.51. This improves on the 52.95 she set earlier in the month to finish third at the Melbourne Classic.