Announcing his retirement after London 50km, Robert Heffernan said after the race: 

“It was a tough race today but I had to turn it into a positive. I’ve had a great career and it was a good note to go out on. I’d like to thank my team and everyone who has supported me.”

Referring to the thousands of enthusiastic spectators watching on from the 7:45am start, many of whom were Irish, Heffernan added: 

“It was the Irish crowd, the familiar faces of everybody who supported me. The motivation for me today was to give them something positive, to give them something to say thanks.

It was lovely to come here, and lovely for them, to give something back – and from the bottom of my heart, I’d really like to thank everybody who has supported me, and that’s what has been keeping me going this year. It’s been emotional.”

In terms of his retirement, which was confirmed after the race, Heffernan still quipped: 

“Never say never. I might have to re-evaluate my marriage situation though.”

Heffernan’s wife and coach, the former Irish international sprinter Marian Heffernan, is looking forward to seeing Rob at home a lot more from now on: 

“I’m very proud of him, so happy that he’s finished – there’s a double meaning to finished!”

Robert Heffernan operates a high performance centre of walking in Cork, and will concentrate on this in future.

You will miss, Robert.