Local star Rob Heffernan was billed as the headline act at the 62nd Cork City Sports and he didn't disappoint, adding another national record to his long list of credentials when winning the 3km walk in 11 minutes, 11.94 seconds.
Indeed not only did the four-time Olympian shave .08 off the previous Irish record, which stood to Jamie Costin, but also broke the over-35 world record. "Well it wasn't the world record I was after," said the 36-year-old, with a smile. "It was the Irish record, and the support here this evening made the difference."
Heffernan only landed in Cork the evening before, and this morning will fly back to training his camp in Spain, as he continues his build-up to next month's World Championships in Moscow, where he's intent on challenging for a medal. Wayne Snyman from South Africa was second in 11:34.60, with Ireland's Brendan Boyce third in 11:36.98, and Colin Griffin fourth in 11:51.39.
The Cork IT witnessed another Irish record when Thomas Barr bounced back from injury to run the fastest 400m hurdles on Irish soil, clocking 50.00 seconds. Not only did that better his Irish under-23 record, but also sets him up perfectly to challenge for a medal at the European Under-23 championships, which begin in Tampere, Finland, on July 11th. Barr was sidelined for several months over the winter with a hip injury. Cornel Fredericks from South Africa took the win in 49.86.
Limerick's Sarah Lavin again lowered the Irish junior 100 metres hurdles to 13.36 seconds, finishing fourth behind the American Kristi Castlin, who ran 12.84.
Cameron Page from Australia won the men's mile in 3:54.77, timing his finish to perfection to gun down the American duo of Jordan McNamara (3:55.76) and Garrett Heath (3:55.91). Paul Robinson finished fourth in 3:56.18, also a good tune-up for the European Under-23s, where the Kildare athlete hopes to challenge for a medal in the 1,500m. David McCarthy clocked 3:57.85 in sixth.
Kelly Proper and Ailis McSweeney false-started in the women's 100m, although Laura Crowe had another good run over 800m, finishing fourth in 2:02.90.
