Irelands Rob Heffernan wins a Historic Gold Medal at the IAAF World Track and Field Championships in Moscow Russia

Ireland's Rob Heffernan (Togher AC) won an historic gold medal on day five of the IAAF World Track and Field Championships in Moscow, Russia. Heffernan literally had the walk of his life to win the 50km Race Walk World Championship Title in a time of 3:37:56.
On a memtous day for Irish athletics the day marked exactly thirty years since Ireland won a men's gold medal at the World Championships. The last of this was when Eamonn Coughlan stormed to victory to win the 5000m at the very first World Championships in Helsinki in 1983. Ireland's other Gold medal from previous championships came in the form of Sonia O'Sullivan when she claimed gold in the 5,000m in the 1995 championships in Gothenburg.
Heffernan had finished outside the medals on so many occasions previously including an agonising fourth place at last year's London Olympics. On this occasion it was to be gold for the Cork native as he won the race by just over a minute from Russia's Mikhail Ryzhov. There was an almighty battle between the two athletes between 30km and 40km. Heffernan made the decisive move at 40km and he never looked back as he continued to pull away from his Russian rival.
Despite receiving one yellow card the victory was never in doubt and he could even afford to smile as he coasted around the final 400m on his way to the world title.
Commenting afterward Heffernan said
"My mam would have been so proud of me today. She'll have been looking down and it gave me strength to think of her. Marian is great she took a step back from her career, it's a team effort I am very grateful to her. Physically and mentally, I've never been better. Age is only a number. This will mean a lot to everyone back home. The country will be sunk tonight. When I was going round I thought 'the country needs a lift'. It's not just me making sacrifices. Marian is such a help with everything, and Emma Gallivan (Athletics Ireland physio) has been great, no injuries this year. Everything seemed to align for me today. It's massive exposure for the sport at home. When kids see this, they'll want to walk."
Mikhail Ryzhov held on for the silver medal in a time of 3:38:58 and Australian Jared Talent claimed bronze in 3:40:03
Irish team mate Brendan Boyce (Letterkenny AC) was also having the race of his life as he finished in 25th place in a new personal best of 3:54:24