Robert Heffernan and Olive Loughnane were impressive winners of the Dublin Grand Prix of Race Walking in warm conditions in Dublin’s Phoenix Park on Sunday.

Heffernan, who is coming back from injury and will take on a strong field in the Cork City Sports next week cruised to an easy season’s best of 1.23.35 to win the GP which doubled as the Irish Championships.

Behind Heffernan, Colin Griffin had the race of a lifetime to take the runner up spot in a new personal best of 1.24.12 ahead of Spain’s Francisco Arcilla.

In the women’s 20km Olive Loughnane continued her recent march towards the podium in Berlin with a commanding victory over the Olympic bronze medallist Elisa Rigaudo to win the women’s 20km in a seasons best of 1.30.57.

Loughnane led from the gun and has really moved herself into contention for a medal in Berlin showing the confidence she has built up over the past year.

Altogether athletes from 20 countries took part in a very successful event.

Results

Photos
http://www.racepix365.com/Dublin-Grand-Prix-of-Race-Walking-2009_photos/Race_62.aspx

Images courtesy James Veale